Bill > A4432

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Attorney General to establish a public awareness campaign to promote public awareness of safely engaging in demonstrations, protests, and other forms of public assembly in order to reduce the risk of harm to those assembled and other persons in the community. Under the bill, the campaign would be required to include printed educational materials and public service announcements: (1) concerning the process for obtaining permits for public assemblies, in order for law enforcement agencies to work with members of the public to ensure the safety of everyone involved; (2) concerning information about the dangers of obstruction of traffic and impeding the ability of first responders to respond to emergencies, at the public assembly and elsewhere in the community; and (3) concerning the current provisions of law related to rioting, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct, and obstructing highways and other public passages. The bill requires the Attorney General to distribute the materials to municipalities for distribution to the public, through entities, including, but not limited to, police departments, libraries, community centers, and other community-based organizations. Additionally, the bill requires the Attorney General to make the materials available on the website of the Department of Law and Public Safety, and the individual websites or pages of any of its divisions, including, but not limited to the website of the State Police. The bill further requires the Attorney General to urge county sheriffs, county prosecutors, and the chiefs of police of county and municipal police departments to make the materials available on their respective websites or to link to a State website containing the materials.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Ronald Dancer (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee (on 07/23/2020)