[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 1767

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MARCH 25, 1996

By Assemblywoman J. SMITH, Assemblymen GREGG

and Garrett

An Act concerning the reporting of suspected criminal activities on school property and supplementing Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. a. When the principal or other person responsible for the administration of an elementary or secondary school receives information concerning the commission or suspected commission of a criminal offense in the school or on school property, that person shall immediately report such information to the police department of the municipality where the school is located or to the State Police if there is no police department in that municipality.

    b. A person who violates the provisions of subsection a. shall be subject to a penalty of $500.00. For a second violation, a person shall be subject to a penalty of $1,000.00. For a third or subsequent violation, a person shall be subject to a fine of $3,000.00. An action for the recovery of a penalty for violation of this section shall be within the jurisdiction of the municipal court where the violation is committed. The penalty shall be payable to the municipal clerk for deposit in the municipal treasury. The penalty may be collected by summary proceedings in accordance with "the penalty enforcement law" (N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq.).

    c. ¹Any principal or other person responsible for the administration of an elementary or secondary school who in good faith reports information concerning a pupil pursuant to the provisions of this act shall not be liable in a civil action for damages as the result of making such a report.

    d. If a proceeding brought pursuant to the provisions of this section results in a dismissal or a final disposition in favor of the person against whom the proceeding was brought, that person shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.18A:16-6.1.

    e. A conviction under this section shall not be deemed an offense involving dishonesty for purposes of N.J.S.2C:51-2.

    f. ¹ As used in this section, "criminal offense" includes but is not limited to any offense defined in Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

Requires the reporting of criminal offenses occurring on school property to law enforcement authorities.