This bill amends existing legislation to increase the penalties for individuals who deny access to service dogs and their handlers in public facilities, on New Jersey Transit (NJT) services, and with transportation network companies. The current civil penalties, which range from $250 for the first violation to $1,000 for the third violation, are replaced with criminal penalties. Specifically, violators will now be charged with a petty disorderly persons offense for the first violation and a disorderly persons offense for any subsequent violations. Notably, the bill stipulates that a disorderly persons offense for subsequent violations can carry a term of imprisonment of up to one year.

Additionally, the bill outlines that penalties will be enforced by law enforcement officers who will issue summonses for violations, and it allows aggrieved parties to pursue complaints with the Division on Civil Rights or in the Superior Court without being barred by municipal court adjudications. The penalties collected will be directed to the Department of Law and Public Safety to fund educational programs for law enforcement regarding the rights of individuals with disabilities to access service dogs. Furthermore, the Attorney General is tasked with establishing a public awareness campaign to inform the public about these provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 10:5-29.11