Bill > A678

Introduced Session

This bill concerns certain interactions between law enforcement officers and juveniles. Under current law, a person under the age of 17 is not to operate or ride on a bicycle as a passenger unless the person is wearing a helmet. In addition, a person is not to operate a motorized bicycle unless the person wears a helmet. Current law also provides that law enforcement officers are prohibited from taking certain actions regarding the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or cannabis items against persons who are under the legal age to purchase these items. Current law also provides that law enforcement officers are guilty of the crime of official deprivation of civil rights if the officer knowingly violates this provision. This bill clarifies that the prohibitions under current law on certain actions by law enforcement officers regarding the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverage or cannabis items by underage persons is not to be construed to prohibit a law enforcement officer from speaking to, issuing a warning as permitted by current law, or imposing any applicable penalties on a person under 17 years of age or imposing a fine on the person's parent or guardian as permitted by current law for the failure of the person under 17 years of age to wear a helmet when operating or riding a bicycle. In addition, the bill provides that current law is not to be construed to prohibit a law enforcement officer from speaking to, warning, or imposing any applicable penalties on a juvenile for the failure to wear a helmet when operating a motorized bicycle.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sean Kean (R)*,  Reginald Atkins (D), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document