Bill > A505

Introduced Session

This bill establishes a gradation of criminal offenses, ranging from a disorderly persons offense to a crime of the second degree, for crimes committed against disabled adults and persons 60 years of age or older. Currently, section 1 of P.L.1989, c.23 (C.2C:24-8) makes it a crime of the third degree for a person having a legal duty to care for a person 60 years of age or older or a disabled adult to unreasonably neglect to do, or fail to permit to be done, any act necessary for the physical or mental health of the disabled adult. Under the bill, it would be a disorderly persons offense under section 1 of P.L.1989, c.23 (C.2C:24-8) to knowingly act in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of a person 60 years of age or older or a disabled adult. The bill makes it a crime of the fourth degree if the actor has a legal duty to care for, or has assumed continuing responsibility for the care of, a person 60 years of age or older, or a disabled adult, and knowingly acts in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of that person. The bill also provides that if an actor has a legal duty to care for, or responsibility for the care of, a person 60 years of age or older or a disabled adult, and causes such person harm that would make him abused or neglected, the actor would be guilty of a crime of the second degree. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Crimes of the fourth degree are punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000 or both. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of five to 10 years, a fine up to $150,000, or both.

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Angela Mcknight (D)*,  Jay Webber (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/14/2020)