SENATE, No. 2149

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED JUNE 5, 1997

 

 

By Senator LITTELL

 

 

An Act concerning the interception of official communications and amending P.L.1991, c.432.

 

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

 

    1. Section 1 of P.L.1991, c.432 (C.2C:33-21) is amended to read as follows:

    1. Any person who intercepts any message or transmission made on or over any police, fire or emergency medical communications system, or any person who is the recipient of information so intercepted, and who uses the information obtained thereby to facilitate the commission of or the attempt to commit a crime or a violation of any law of this State, or uses the same in a manner which interferes with the discharge of police or firefighting operations or provision of medical services by first aid, rescue or ambulance squad personnel, shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

(cf: P.L.1991, c.432, s.1)

 

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This bill makes it a crime to "jump" official emergency calls. Under the bill, a person who uses information intercepted from police, fire or emergency medical communications systems to interfere with responding first aid, rescue or ambulance squad members or firefighters rendering assistance would be guilty of a fourth-degree crime. It is currently a fourth-degree crime to use such intercepted information to commit a crime or interfere with the discharge of police operations. Fourth-degree crimes are punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed 18 months, a maximum fine of $7,500, or both.

    The purpose of the bill is to enhance public safety by deterring persons from disrupting medical personnel and firefighters during emergencies.

 

 

                             

Criminalizes "jumping" emergency calls.