STATE OF NEW JERSEY
218th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2018 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator JAMES BEACH
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
Senator CHRISTOPHER "KIP" BATEMAN
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Requires that sexual abuse against a child be reported to law enforcement officials.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Education Committee with technical review.
An Act concerning child abuse and amending P.L.1971, c.437.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 3 of P.L.1971, c.437 (C.9:6-8.10) is amended to read as follows:
3. [Any] a. Except as provided in subsection b. of this section any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to child abuse or acts of child abuse shall report the same immediately to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency by telephone or otherwise. [Such reports,]
b. Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to an act of sexual abuse as defined in section 1 of P.L.1992, c.109 (C.2A:61B-1) or any sexual offense as defined in chapter 14 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes shall immediately report the act or offense to law enforcement officials.
c. Reports made pursuant to subsections a. and b. of this section, where possible, shall contain the names and addresses of the child and his parent, guardian, or other person having custody and control of the child and, if known, the child's age, the nature and possible extent of the child's injuries, abuse or maltreatment, including any evidence of previous injuries, abuse or maltreatment, and any other information that the person believes may be helpful with respect to the child abuse and the identity of the perpetrator.
(cf: P.L.2012, c.16, s.21)
2. Section 7 of P.L.1971, c.437 (C.9:6-8.14) is amended to read as follows:
7. [Any] a. Except as provided in subsection b. of this section any person knowingly violating the provisions of this act including the failure to report an act of child abuse having reasonable cause to believe that an act of child abuse has been committed, is a disorderly person.
b. Any person who knowingly fails to report an act of sexual abuse or any sexual offense pursuant to subsection b. of section 3 of P.L.1971, c.437 (C.9:6-8.10) against a child and who has reasonable cause to believe that an act of sexual abuse or the sexual offense has been committed is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
(cf: P.L.1971, c.437, s.7)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.