ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, Nos. 1364 and 889

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: FEBRUARY 15, 1996

      The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee favorably reports an Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bill Nos. 1364 and 889.

      The substitute repeals section 1 of P.L.1989, c.232 (C.2C:33-18), which prohibited the sale or transfer of remotely activated paging devices to persons under 18 years of age, unless that minor was authorized to possess such a device by a physician for health reasons or an employer during the time he is working.

      The substitute also amends section 2 of P.L.1989, c.232 (C.2C:33-19), which prohibits an elementary or secondary school student from bringing a paging device onto school property without the permission of the school board or school principal. The substitute would permit a student who is an active member in good standing of a volunteer fire company or a volunteer first aid, ambulance or rescue squad to possess a paging device on school property if the chief executive officer of that company or squad states that the student is required to respond to emergencies.

      Finally, the substitute clarifies that school officials may not prohibit a student from possessing a remotely activated paging device while on school property if that student's parent or guardian notifies the school in writing that the student has permission to possess such a device.