SENATE, No. 1297

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED JUNE 13, 1996

By Senator CAFIERO

An Act concerning increased penalties for transmitting sexually transmitted diseases and amending N.J.S.2C:34-5.

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

    1. N.J.S.2C:34-5 is amended to read as follows:

    2C:34-5. Diseased person committing an act of sexual penetration.

    [Any ]A person is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree who, knowing that he or she is infected with a venereal disease such as chancroid, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes virus, or any of the varieties or stages of such diseases, or, with human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection or any other related virus identified as a probable causative agent of AIDS, commits an act of sexual penetration[, is a petty disorderly person].

(cf: P.L.1979, c. 178, s. 68)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    Presently, it is a petty disorderly persons offense if a person commits an act of sexual penetration, knowing that he or she is infected with a venereal disease. A petty disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to thirty days imprisonment, a fine up to $500.00, or both. This bill would increase the penalty for this offense to a crime of the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to eighteen months imprisonment, a fine of up to $7,500.00, or both. In addition, the bill would include HIV and any other related virus identified as a probable causative agent of AIDS within the diseases referred to in this offense.

Increases penalty for knowingly transmitting certain sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS.