Bill > S1045

Introduced Session

This bill would authorize the association of an age-restricted community to establish and implement procedures for the collection of emergency contact information for each resident of each dwelling unit in the community. The emergency contact information collected and retained would include that of the resident's next-of-kin, and preferred contact in the event of an emergency. The information would be used to provide notice in the event of the hospitalization or death of a resident. The bill defines an "age-restricted community" as a planned real estate development that complies with the "housing for older persons" exception from the federal "Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988," Pub.L.100-430 (42 U.S.C. ss.3601 et seq.) for that community as set forth in section 100.301 of Title 24, Code of Federal Regulations. The bill would require an association to provide notice to, and opportunity for, each current and prospective resident to provide, and update as necessary, emergency contact information to enable the association to notify the emergency contacts in the event of the hospitalization or death of the resident. Upon learning of the hospitalization or death of a resident, an association would be required to notify the emergency contacts for that resident as soon as is practicable, but no later than 24 hours thereafter. An association that fails to provide the required notice would be liable to a civil penalty of $500, which may be collected and enforced by the Commissioner of Community Affairs ("commissioner"), the Attorney General, or other persons, pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). The bill directs the commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioners of Health and Human Services, to adopt regulations on the collection of emergency contact information and the notification of the emergency contacts as required by the bill. The bill would take effect on the first day of the fifth month next following enactment.

Committee Categories

Jim Beach (D)*,  Linda Greenstein (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document