ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 594

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  FEBRUARY 1, 2018

 

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 594.

     This bill provides compensated and volunteer public and private first responders, including emergency medical services personnel, law enforcement officers, and firefighters, with immunity from civil liability for any damages that may result from a forcible entry into a home, business, or other structure at which an emergency is reported.  This immunity applies only where the first responder’s decision is based upon a good faith belief that forcible entry is necessary to provide emergency medical care or to prevent imminent bodily harm and where no occupant of the property responds to the first responder’s requests for entry within a reasonable period of time.

     This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2018-2019 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.