Bill Text: NJ A739 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Affords civil immunity to certain police officers.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Failed) 2020-08-10 - Withdrawn from Consideration [A739 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-A739-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2020 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GORDON M. JOHNSON
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblyman ROY FREIMAN
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman DiMaso
SYNOPSIS
Affords civil immunity to certain police officers.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning immunity from civil liability for certain police officers and supplementing Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary, a police officer duly appointed by the governing body of an independent institution of higher education pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1970, c.211 (C.18A:6-4.2) shall not be liable for damages if the officer acts in good faith in the execution or enforcement of any law.
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary, an independent institution of higher education shall not be liable for damages if a police officer duly appointed pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1970, c.211 (C.18A:6-4.2) acts in good faith in the execution or enforcement of any law.
c. Nothing in this act shall provide immunity from civil liability in excess of the immunity from civil liability provided under current law to other duly appointed police officers, and other governing bodies and authorities authorized to appoint police officers.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill affords immunity from civil liability for damages to police officers appointed by the governing body of an independent institution of higher education if they act in good faith in the execution or enforcement of any law.
This bill similarly provides civil immunity to the independent institution of higher education where the police officer is appointed. This bill does not provide immunity from civil liability in excess of the immunity from civil liability provided to other duly appointed police officers or to other governing bodies and authorities authorized to appoint police officers.
According to the New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Report, in 2016 there were 36,290 full-time police officers employed in this State. Universities and colleges employed 441 of these officers, 71 of which were employed by independent colleges and universities. These 71 police officers are the only ones who currently are not afforded immunity from civil liability.
