Bill > A1751

Introduced Session

This bill creates the New Jersey Servicemember's Civil Relief Act and repeals the "New Jersey Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1979," (C.38:23C-1 et seq.). The purpose of the bill is to update and modernize the benefits and protections afforded to military servicemembers and their dependents and to bring such benefits and protections in line with those provided for by federal law. No benefits or protections are reduced in this bill. This bill expands the definition of those who are protected under New Jersey law, reconciles any differences between State and federal law, and affords greater protections to servicemembers in the State. These protections include:· Mandatory stays of civil proceedings and executions of judgments in circumstances when the servicemember's ability to represent himself is materially affected by his military service;· Allowance of application for anticipatory relief by the servicemember;· Protections against default judgments which cannot be properly defended by reason of military service;· Relief from contracts that cannot be performed due to military service;· Tolling of the statute of limitations during the period of military service;· A maximum six-percent rate of interest on debts incurred before military service;· Relief related to evictions, foreclosures, and certain taxes;· Termination of leases executed before an individual was called into military service;· Protections against liens for storage, repair, and cleaning of property and effects;· Automatic extension of the power of attorney for servicemembers who have entered missing status;· Protections regarding life insurance, professional liability insurance, and health insurance;· Employment protections for those returning from military service;· Reservation of land rights provided under federal law;· Procedures to effect waiver of any rights provided under the act; and· Creation of a civil action which may be brought by the Attorney General or a person aggrieved by a violation of the act.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Brian Rumpf (R)*,  Dawn Fantasia (R),  Vicky Flynn (R), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document