This bill amends the Predatory Towing Prevention Act to prohibit towing companies from charging owners of stolen motor vehicles a fee to release their vehicles from storage facilities, provided the owner presents a copy of the police report confirming the vehicle's theft. The legislation aims to alleviate the financial burden on vehicle owners who may struggle to pay towing fees after recovering their stolen vehicles. Under the new provisions, if law enforcement has contacted the owner regarding the recovery, they will have 72 hours to retrieve the vehicle without incurring any fees. After this period, the towing company may charge for additional storage days.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that any fees incurred for the release of the recovered vehicle will be covered by the vehicle's insurance carrier or, if uninsured, by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The insurance company can either pay the towing company directly or reimburse the vehicle owner for the costs. This legislative change is intended to support vehicle owners in reclaiming their property without the added financial stress of towing fees, especially in light of increasing motor vehicle thefts in the state.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 56:13-16