ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4740

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 7, 2026

      The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4740.

      As amended and reported, this bill, which is designated as the “Safe Commercial Routes Act – Commercial Driver Human Trafficking Awareness Training,” requires individuals applying for a commercial driver license (CDL) and individuals renewing a CDL to complete a training course on recognizing and reporting suspected human trafficking activities (training course).

     Specifically, the bill requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (chief administrator), in consultation with the Commission on Human Trafficking, to develop and approve a training course on recognizing and reporting suspected human trafficking activities for any individual applying for a CDL.  Two years after the bill’s effective date, the training course requirement will also apply to an individual renewing the individual’s CDL.

     Under the bill, the training course is to be no longer than 30 minutes and may be completed through various methods, as outlined in the bill.  The training course may include or be based on materials developed by nationally-recognized organizations with demonstrated experience providing anti-human trafficking course offerings to drivers of commercial motor vehicles.  The bill requires the chief administrator to maintain a list of approved training providers and to make free training materials available on the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s (commission) Internet website.  The bill authorizes the chief administrator to partner with private-sector stakeholders to facilitate the delivery of the training course.

     The bill also requires verifiable completion of the training course to be submitted electronically to the commission prior to the issuance of a CDL in addition to any other licensure requirements or, when applicable, prior to the issuance of a renewal of a CDL.  Completion of the training course is required before a CDL can be issued.  However, the bill clarifies that completion of the training course is not to affect an applicant’s ability to schedule appointments, submit an application, and take required examinations.

     In addition, the bill provides that an individual who has completed the training course and reports, in good faith, suspected human trafficking activity is not to be held civilly or criminally liable for any such report.

     Finally, the bill authorizes the chief administrator to develop and make available resource materials, such as wallet cards or digital resources, with certain information included for individuals who are applying for or who have a CDL.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to: 

      (1)  require additional material to be included in the training course, including a clear, plain-language explanation of human trafficking, information regarding human trafficking in the commercial transportation industry, and guidance on safe and appropriate procedures for reporting suspected human trafficking activity;

      (2)  authorize the chief administrator to develop and make available resource materials related to the training course for individuals who are applying for or who have a commercial driver license, including, but not limited to, wallet cards or digital resources with information on reporting suspected human trafficking activity and relevant contact information; and

      (3)  make technical changes.