Bill > A4081

Introduced Session

This bill establishes a civil penalty for interfering with or denying a person with a disability accompanied by a service or guide dog access to a place of public accommodation in violation of P.L.1971, c.130 (C.10:5-29 et seq.), section 3 of P.L.1977, c.456 (C.10:5-29.1), and the "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990," (42 U.S.C. s.12101 et seq.). A person who violates the provisions of the bill, in addition to any other relief or affirmative action provided by law, would be liable to a civil penalty of no less than: $250 for the first violation; $500 for the second violation; and $1,000 for the third and each subsequent violation. The penalty would be collected pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.), in a summary proceeding before the municipal court having jurisdiction. A law enforcement officer having enforcement authority in the municipality where the violation took place would issue a summons and serve and execute all process with respect to enforcement of the provisions of the bill consistent with the Rules of Court. The penalty assessed would be appropriated to the Department of Law and Public Safety to fund educational programs for law enforcement officers on the right of a person with a disability to have a service or guide dog in a place of public accommodation. The bill also requires the Attorney General to establish a public awareness campaign to inform the public about the provisions of the bill.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Diane Allen (R)*,  Daniel Benson (D)*,  Lou Greenwald (D)*,  Pam Lampitt (D)*,  Stephen Sweeney (D)*,  Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D)*,  Benjie Wimberly (D)*,  Jennifer Beck (R),  Anthony Bucco (R),  Joe Danielsen (D),  Nellie Pou (D),  Annette Quijano (D),  Cleopatra Tucker (D), 

Approved P.L.2017, c.169. (on 07/21/2017)