Bill > S637

Introduced Session

This bill creates a civil cause of action for victims of stalking, a crime set out in P.L.1992, c.209 (C.2C:12-10). Under the bill, a "victim" is defined as "a person who, as a result of the conduct of the defendant that is prohibited under P.L.1992, c.209 (C.2C:12-10), was placed in reasonable fear for his own personal safety or for the safety of a minor child of whom the person is a parent or legal guardian." The bill provides that the victim could bring suit whether or not the individual has been charged with or convicted of the crime. The victim could be awarded damages and costs, including attorney fees, and may also be awarded punitive damages. Under the bill, no action could be commenced beyond the applicable personal injury statute of limitations. Under N.J.S.A.2A:14-2 the statute of limitations for personal injury actions is two years.

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Jim Beach (D)*,  Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 01/09/2018)