Bill
Bill > S2454
NJ S2454
NJ S2454Increases penalties for denying access to public facilities, NJT, and transportation network companies to service dogs and their handlers.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill increases the penalties, from civil to criminal, for any person who denies or interferes with the access of a service dog or their handler to a public facility, to any form of transportation operated by the New Jersey Transit Corporation, or any transportation network company. Currently, any person who interferes or denies the access of a service dog or their handler to a public facility is liable for civil penalties as follows:· $250 for the first violation; · $500 for the second violation; and· $1,000 for the third and each subsequent violation. This bill would subject any person denying access to a public facility, to any form of transportation operated by NJT, or any transportation network company towards a service dog or their handler to criminal penalties. A person in violation of section 1 of P.L.1971, c.130 (C.10:5-29), or section 1 of P.L.2016, c.25 (C.27:25-5b), or section 15 of P.L.2017, c.26 (C.39:5H-15) would be charged with a petty disorderly persons offense for the first violation, and a disorderly persons offense for the second and each subsequent violation. A petty disorderly persons offense is punishable by imprisonment for up to 30 days, a fine of up to $500, or both. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both; however, for a second and each subsequent violation, the standard term of up to six months' imprisonment has been increased to up to one year.
AI Summary
This bill increases penalties for denying access to service dogs and their handlers by shifting them from civil fines to criminal offenses. Specifically, anyone who interferes with or denies access to a service dog and its handler at public facilities, New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT) transportation, or transportation network companies (businesses like Uber or Lyft) will face criminal charges. The first offense will be considered a petty disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. Subsequent offenses will be classified as disorderly persons offenses, carrying penalties of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, with the jail time potentially extended to one year for second and subsequent violations. This change aims to provide stronger enforcement and deterrence against such discriminatory actions.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2454 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2500/2454_I1.HTM |
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