ASSEMBLY, No. 2349

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 19, 1996

By Assemblyman RUSSO

An Act concerning certain commercial practices and supplementing P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).

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

    1. It shall be an unlawful practice for any person conducting or transacting business under an assumed name and filing a certificate pursuant to R.S.56:1-2 to intentionally misrepresent that person's geographic origin or location.

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill supplements the consumer fraud law, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), to prohibit, as an unlawful practice, any business entity conducting or transacting business under an assumed name and filing a certificate pursuant to R.S.56:1-2 to intentionally misrepresent that business entity's geographic origin or location.

    As provided in R.S.56:1-2, those entities conducting or transacting business under an assumed name are required to file a certificate in the office of the clerk of the county or counties in which that person conducts or intends to conduct such business, together with a duplicate copy for filing with the office of the Secretary of State. The information mandated to be placed on the certificate includes the true name or names of the person or persons conducting or transacting the business, with his or their post-office address or addresses.

    Anyone who commits an unlawful practice by violating a provision of this bill shall be subject to consumer fraud law penalties of not more than $7,500 for a first offense and not more than $15,000 for each subsequent offense.

Prohibits intentional misrepresentation by a business of its location.