SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4008

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 13, 2025

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 4008.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill prohibits a crematory from being located within 1,000 feet of a school, residential area, or certain recreational areas.

     Specifically, the amended bill provides that on or after January 1, 2025, the New Jersey Cemetery Board is not to approve an application for construction of a crematory if the nearest boundary of the proposed crematory site is located within 1,000 feet of:

     (1) a public school or a private school;

     (2) an area zoned primarily or exclusively for residential use; or

     (3) a park, playground, picnic area, square, monument, beach, waterfront, recreation area, conservation area, or similar place or property. 

      The amended bill is effective immediately upon enactment and is retroactive to January 1, 2025.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to make the bill’s provisions retroactive to January 1, 2025.