SENATE, No. 417

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED JANUARY 18, 1996

By Senators LaROSSA and SCOTT

An Act concerning certain motor vehicle operators and supplementing Title 26 and Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.

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

    1. a. The operator of any needle or syringe exchange program established in this State to reduce the spread of AIDS, HIV infection, or other disease or virus transmitted by needle sharing among injection drug users shall report to the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Law and Public Safety the identity of those participants in that program who are licensed, pursuant to R.S.39:3-10 or the "New Jersey Commercial Driver License Act," P.L.1990, c.103 (C.39:3-10.9 et seq.), to operate motor vehicles in this State.

    b. The Commissioner of Health shall notify each public and private entity which establishes any needle or syringe exchange program in this State for the purpose of reducing the spread of AIDS, HIV infection, or any other disease or virus transmitted by needle sharing among injection drug users of their reporting responsibilities under the provisions of subsection a. of this section.

    2. The reports submitted pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C.    )(now pending before the Legislature as this bill) to the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles identifying those licensed under the provisions of R.S.39:3-10 or the "New Jersey Commercial Driver License Act," P.L.1990, c.103 (C.39:3-10.9 et seq.) who are participating in a needle or syringe exchange program shall be kept in the confidence of the Division of Motor Vehicles and shall not be revealed or used by the division in any manner or any circumstances except for the purpose of protecting the general public from the dangers associated with the operation of motor vehicles by persons in violation of R.S.39:4-50.

    3. The Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Health, shall promulgate, in accordance with the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations to effectuate the purpose of this act.

    4. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    Under the provisions of this bill, public and private entities which establish needle and syringe exchange programs to reduce the spread of AIDS, HIV infection, or any other disease or virus transmitted by needle sharing would be required to report the identity of those participants who hold either a regular New Jersey driver's license or a commercial driver's license to the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles.

    The information transmitted to the director is to be kept in confidence and not revealed or used by the division in any manner or any circumstance except for the purpose of protecting the general public from the dangers associated with the operation of motor vehicles by persons in violation of R.S.39:4-50. This statute establishes penalties for driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Requires DMV be notified of licensed drivers participating in any needle and syringe exchange program.