Bill > A6167

Introduced Session

This bill provides that a motor vehicle rental company utilizing an automatic vehicle location system to track or locate its motor vehicles would be required to provide notice to customers concerning the use of tracking and location determination, including, but not limited to, notice that a motor vehicle may be tracked or located pursuant to a request made by a law enforcement officer. The bill further provides that a motor vehicle rental company that utilizes an automatic vehicle location system to track or locate its motor vehicles would be required to comply as soon as is practicable with a request made by a law enforcement officer to track or locate a motor vehicle that has been used as the instrumentality of a crime or which is otherwise part of an ongoing criminal investigation. A violation of the requirement to provide notice to customers would be an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act. An unlawful practice is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, a violation can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured A violation of the requirement to comply with a request by law enforcement would be a disorderly persons offense. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a term of up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The bill defines an "automatic vehicle location system" as an automated system, such as a global positioning system or telematics system, which can be used for tracking the geographic location of a motor vehicle and transmitting that location information to an authorized receiving entity. Under the bill, "motor vehicle rental company" means any corporation, sole proprietorship or other entity or person, including a franchisee, engaged in the business of facilitating vehicle rental transactions which occur in this State.

Committee Categories

Bill Spearman (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee (on 12/06/2021)

Official Document