Bill > S73

This bill requires that certain senior citizen high-rise buildings, specifically retirement communities with at least 100 dwelling units, located in municipalities with a violent crime rate exceeding six per 1,000 persons (as determined by the three most recent Uniform Crime Reports from the New Jersey State Police) must provide 24-hour lobby security. This security must include at least one licensed security guard stationed in the lobby at all times and video surveillance cameras recording all building exits and entrances, as well as common areas where criminal incidents have occurred in the past 12 months, with recordings maintained for at least 60 days. If a retirement community has multiple buildings totaling 100 or more units but no single building has 100 units, security guards must patrol the entire complex, and video surveillance must cover all entrances and exits. In areas with a violent crime rate of six or less per 1,000 persons, the Commissioner of Community Affairs may require lobby or interior common area security monitoring if there is evidence of persistent criminal activity against residents. The bill also clarifies that these security standards are minimums and do not prevent municipalities from enacting stricter requirements. The Commissioner of Community Affairs will annually notify affected retirement communities of their lobby security obligations.