This bill amends New Jersey's laws regarding false public alarms, specifically addressing incidents involving places of worship such as churches, synagogues, and temples. It establishes that a person is guilty of a second-degree crime if they initiate or circulate a false report or warning about any place of worship, which is defined as a building that can seat more than 50 people and is used primarily for public or private worship by a recognized religious organization. This amendment aims to enhance the legal consequences for such actions, reflecting the importance of protecting these community spaces.

Additionally, the bill introduces a civil penalty for violations related to false alarms at places of worship, setting the minimum penalty at $5,000 or the actual costs incurred by law enforcement and emergency services in response to the false alarm, whichever is higher. This is an increase from the standard civil penalty of $2,000 for other false alarms. The bill emphasizes the seriousness of false alarms in sensitive environments and aims to deter such actions through stricter penalties and legal repercussions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:33-3.2