ASSEMBLY, No. 2530

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 5, 1996

By Assemblyman AZZOLINA

An Act concerning child abuse and amending P.L.1971, c.437.

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

    1. Section 7 of P.L.1971, c.437 (C.9:6-8.14) is amended to read as follows:

    7. a. Any person knowingly violating the provisions of this act including the failure to report an act of child abuse having reasonable cause to believe that an act of child abuse has been committed, except as provided for in subsection b. of this section, is a disorderly person.

    b. Any person who knowingly, willfully or maliciously files or causes to file three or more reports of a false allegation of child abuse or neglect, as determined by the Division of Youth and Family Services, shall be liable to a penalty of $500 for each offense.

(cf. P.L.1971, c.437, s.7)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill amends section 7 of P.L.1971, c.437 (C.9:6-8.14) to provide that a person who knowingly, willfully or maliciously files three or more reports of a false allegation of child abuse or neglect, as determined by the Division of Youth and Family Services, shall be fined $500. Currently, the child abuse reporting law establishes penalties for the general violation of its provisions. This bill amends the law to establish two distinct penalties; one for the reporting of false allegations of child abuse or neglect and another for all other violations of the law.

Establishes a penalty for the reporting of a false allegation of child abuse or neglect.