Bill > S224

Introduced Session

This bill amends the "Disaster Control Act" by establishing additional mandatory penalties for committing theft, robbery or burglary, acts commonly referred to as looting, during an emergency. Under the Disaster Control Act, the Governor is empowered to issue executive orders in response to emergencies. Emergencies under the act extend to war emergencies and disasters resulting from natural or unnatural causes which endanger the health, safety or resources of the residents of one or more municipalities of the State. The act, in part, establishes penalties for committing unlawful conduct during the threat of an emergency that jeopardizes the health, welfare and safety of the people, or contributes to the loss of, or destruction to, property. This bill amends the act to establish a mandatory six month term of imprisonment or a six month term of community service, whichever the court deems to be appropriate, if a person commits burglary, robbery or theft during an emergency. The mandatory penalties established under this bill are to be imposed in addition to any penalties imposed for committing the crimes of theft, robbery, or burglary under Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes. Finally, the bill clarifies that a person may be penalized under the Disaster Control Act while an emergency is ongoing.

Committee Categories

Jim Holzapfel (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/12/2016)