ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 2453

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: NOVEMBER 6, 1997

 

      The Assembly Transportation and Communications Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2453 with committee amendments.

      This amended bill would permit the application of sun screening materials and products to the windshields and windows of motor vehicles driven by, or used to regularly transport, persons who have medical conditions involving ophthalmic or dermatological photosensitivity.

      Under the provisions of the bill, the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles must promulgate rules and regulations (1) setting the standards and specifications for the types of materials and products that may be applied to the windshield and windows of the motor vehicles driven or used by people suffering from dermatological photosensitive diseases and ophthalmic problems; (2) providing for the issuance of a card or other certification indicating that authorization to apply a sun screening material or product has been granted by the director; (3) standards and specifications governing the installation and application of approved materials and products; and (4) the registration of persons who install or apply the approved materials and products.

      In promulgating the rules and regulations relating to the types of materials and products that may be applied to windshields and windows, the director must consider, to the greatest extent possible, the safety of law enforcement officers who, in the course of their regular duties, must readily inspect or observe the interior of motor vehicles which will have these approved sun screening materials and products applied to their windshields and windows.

      Individuals who have sun screening materials installed without the approval of the director are subject to a fine of up to $100. Installers of sun screening materials or products who violate the provisions of this act are subject to fines of up to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for a second or subsequent offense.


      The committee adopted an amendment to delay the effective date of the bill in order to give the Division of Motor Vehicles adequate time to implement the program. The committee also adopted a technical amendment to the bill.