Bill > S2950

Introduced Session

This bill addresses assaults and injuries incurred at social media initiated mass gatherings at public places including, but not limited to, public beaches, such as the recent violent events that occurred at Pier Village in Long Branch, New Jersey. The bill provides that a person commits assault if the person causes bodily injury to another during the course of an unpermitted mass gathering on a public beach. The crime is a disorderly persons offense, ordinarily punishable by up to six month imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. However, the bill provides that the court may impose a fine up to $10,000. Under the bill, "unpermitted mass gathering on a public beach" means (1) an event or occasion occurring on a public beach, organized by an identifiable source, unrestricted as to the number of attendees, and notice for which was advertised on public media including, but not limited to, social media platforms or websites; (2) a permit for which to assemble has not been obtained from the municipality in which the event or occasion is held; and (3) the number of people attending or likely to attend is sufficient to strain the planning and response resources of the community or municipality in which the event or occasion is held, a determination which, once assessed by the municipality, has been declared through a public address or other emergency notification system. It is the sponsor's view that the unprecedented opportunity created by social media outlets to spread notice of an unregulated and unplanned event involving the gathering of persons at a shore community creates risks of violence and damage for which communities cannot always adequately prepare. An individual who commits an assault at such an event, having received notice that an unpermitted mass gathering has been declared, should be held to a higher standard than one who had no knowledge that the event was unregulated.

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Vin Gopal (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 06/29/2022)

Official Document