ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1125

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 16, 1996

      The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1125.

      Assembly Bill No. 1125 amends the "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.) to provide guide dog instructors engaged in instructing guide dogs the same right-of-way over vehicles while crossing a highway or intersection as accorded blind persons accompanied by guide dogs. The purpose of extending the right is to allow guide dog instructors and the dogs being trained to cross the street at a red light to test the training's effectiveness.

      The bill also amends Title 39 of the Revised Statutes, the motor vehicle code, to conform with this right. Vehicles would be required to yield to guide dog instructors engaged in instructing a guide dog just as they are currently required to do for blind persons using predominantly white or metallic walking canes or accompanied by a guide dogs equipped with rigid, U-shaped harnesses. The provision applies if the traffic is controlled by a signal, but not if a police officer is directing traffic. A guide dog instructor could not be conclusively presumed contributorily negligent for noncompliance with these provisions.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 1996 Legislative session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review which has been performed.