Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ANTWAN L. MCCLELLAN
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Requires Division of Travel and Tourism establish Black Heritage Trail; establishes NJ Black Cultural and Heritage Commission.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing a Black Heritage Trail and supplementing chapter 16A of Title 52 of the Revised Statues.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this act:
Black heritage site or heritage site means a location where items of political, military, artistic, cultural, or social history have been preserved due to their cultural heritage value to the State. The locations shall include, but need not be limited to, locations related to Black educators, journalists, scientists, physicians, lawyers, artists, or humanitarians who have contributed to the development or advancement of this State, the United States, or Black communities throughout the world.
Black Heritage Trail means a series of Black heritage sites identified by the division, which may be linked by geographic proximity and alignment, thematic consistency, and historical consistency.
Director means the Director of the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State.
Division means the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State.
Historical marker means a marker, plaque, or tablet commemorating a historic person, place, or event or identifying a historic place, structure, or object.
b. In addition to the powers and duties of the division as provided in section 9 of P.L.1977, c.225 (C.34:1A-53), the division shall, in consultation with the New Jersey Black Cultural and Heritage Commission, established pursuant to section 3 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), identify a series of Black heritage sites to be part of a New Jersey Black Heritage Trail. The division may seek the assistance and cooperation of the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office, the New Jersey Historical Commission, local government officials or entities, owners or operators of Black heritage sites, and entities that identify and compile data on historical trails, sites, or memorials to aid in effectively carrying out the purposes of this act. The purpose of the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail shall be to promote awareness and appreciation of Black history, heritage, and culture in the State through education, public programs, and historical markers. The New Jersey Black Heritage Trail shall highlight Black heritage sites through historical markers and a trail-like path that connect the stories of Black life and resiliency in the State. The division shall ensure that as many Black heritage sites in the State as practical are included in the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail. In identifying specific Black heritage sites to be included in the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, special consideration shall be given to Black heritage sites that are in close geographic proximity to other Black heritage sites or thematically linked by surrounding arts, cultural, historical, entertainment, or other tourism destinations or exhibits of interest to tourists interested in Black heritage sites. The New Jersey Black Heritage Trail shall be inclusive of all eras as well as be geographically representative of the entire State.
c. The division shall:
(1) determine and select such sites significant to Black history, heritage, and culture in this State that the division determines should be a part of the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail and shall mark each site with a suitable historical marker;
(2) design, purchase, and erect historical markers which the division may decide to be appropriate at such sites, indicating thereon the persons, places, or events commemorated and having such other suitable inscription as the division may deem necessary; and
(3) keep in good repair all historical markers that are a part of the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail erected by the division.
d. All historical markers on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail that are erected by the division shall be the property of the State. No person, entity, or business shall possess, transport, alter, or remove a marker without written authority of an appropriate official of the division. No person, entity, or business shall receive, retain, alter, or dispose of the historical markers without written authorization of an appropriate official of the division.
e. The division may establish rules or regulations regarding all aspects of the historical markers associated with the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail. Other persons, entities, or businesses shall not duplicate the historical markers, or create, obtain, or install similar markers with an intent to mislead or deceive the public.
2. a. The division shall develop and maintain an Internet site providing information on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail and Black heritage sites in the State. The information on the Internet site shall be searchable and available as a list and as an interactive map, and shall:
(1) specify the location of each heritage site included on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail and provide driving directions from the north, south, east, and west, as well as directions by public transit where applicable;
(2) provide information about whether the heritage site offers guided tours, the frequency of tours, and the hours during which tours are conducted;
(3) display photographs of each heritage site;
(4) inform visitors that the heritage site is part of the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail developed pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill); and
(5) provide contact information for the owner or operator of each heritage site, including the telephone number and Internet site address of the heritage site if one exists.
b. The division shall develop and publish on its Internet site vacation itineraries based on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail developed pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), which shall identify for visitors surrounding attractions, restaurants, lodging, and other exhibits or places of entertainment in close proximity to the Black heritage sites on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail. The division may solicit information from local government officials or entities, the owners or operators of Black heritage sites, and entities that identify and compile data on historical trail, sites, or memorials in the development of vacation itineraries.
c. In addition to publishing the information required in subsections a. and b. of this section, the division may distribute the information by any other method it deems appropriate.
d. The division shall accept submissions from the public recommending, for inclusion on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, heritage sites not owned, operated, or maintained by a governmental entity through an electronic submission form made available by the division on its Internet site. The division may include heritage sites not owned, operated, or maintained by a governmental entity on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, as it deems appropriate.
e. The director shall ensure that the Internet site is updated whenever a new Black heritage site is established. The division may accept information or changes to the Internet site from the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office, the New Jersey Historical Commission, local government officials and entities, owners or operators of heritage sites in the State, entities that identify and compile data on historical trails, sites, or memorials, or