This bill clarifies the responsibilities and liabilities of private beach owners and lessees regarding injuries sustained by beachgoers while using the beach or adjacent waters for recreational activities. It establishes that private beach owners or lessees have no obligation to ensure the safety of the beach premises or to provide warnings about potential hazards, particularly when the beach is unguarded. The bill defines "unguarded beach area" as any section of a privately owned beach where there is no on-duty lifeguard present to monitor safety or respond to injuries. Furthermore, it stipulates that private beach owners or lessees will not be held liable for injuries or deaths occurring in unguarded areas or even in guarded areas, except in specific circumstances involving willful negligence or gross negligence.

Additionally, the bill provides immunity from liability for private beach owners or lessees when injuries occur during periods when the beach is guarded, unless the injury results from the failure to warn about dangerous conditions or from acts of negligence. This aligns the proposed legal framework with existing liability limitations applicable to other types of landowners in New Jersey, thereby promoting consistency in the treatment of liability for recreational activities across different land types. Overall, the bill aims to protect private beach owners and lessees from legal repercussions while still ensuring some level of safety for beachgoers.