Bill Text: NJ S4071 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: "Motorbus and Passenger Rail Service Employee Violence Prevention Act."
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2022-01-10 - Approved P.L.2021, c.352. [S4071 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-S4071-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator PATRICK J. DIEGNAN, JR.
District 18 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
"Motorbus and Passenger Rail Service Employee Violence Prevention Act".
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the prevention of violence against motorbus and passenger rail service employees, designated as the "Motorbus and Passenger Rail Service Employee Violence Prevention Act," amending N.J.S.2C:12-1 and P.L.1979, c.150, and supplementing Title 27 and Title 48 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.2C:12-1 is amended to read as follows:
2C:12-1. Assault. a. Simple assault. A person is guilty of assault if the person:
(1) Attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another; or
(2) Negligently causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon; or
(3) Attempts by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.
Simple assault is a disorderly persons offense unless committed in a fight or scuffle entered into by mutual consent, in which case it is a petty disorderly persons offense.
b. Aggravated assault. A person is guilty of aggravated assault if the person:
(1) Attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another, or causes injury purposely or knowingly or under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life recklessly causes such injury; or
(2) Attempts to cause or purposely or knowingly causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon; or
(3) Recklessly causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon; or
(4) Knowingly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life points a firearm, as defined in subsection f. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, at or in the direction of another, whether or not the actor believes it to be loaded; or
(5) Commits a simple assault as defined in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection a. of this section upon:
(a) Any law enforcement officer acting in the performance of the officer's duties while in uniform or exhibiting evidence of authority or because of the officer's status as a law enforcement officer; or
(b) Any paid or volunteer firefighter acting in the performance of the firefighter's duties while in uniform or otherwise clearly identifiable as being engaged in the performance of the duties of a firefighter; or
(c) Any person engaged in emergency first-aid or medical services acting in the performance of the person's duties while in uniform or otherwise clearly identifiable as being engaged in the performance of emergency first-aid or medical services; or
(d) Any school board member, school administrator, teacher, school bus driver, or other employee of a public or nonpublic school or school board while clearly identifiable as being engaged in the performance of the person's duties or because of the person's status as a member or employee of a public or nonpublic school or school board or any school bus driver employed by an operator under contract to a public or nonpublic school or school board while clearly identifiable as being engaged in the performance of the person's duties or because of the person's status as a school bus driver; or
(e) Any employee of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency while clearly identifiable as being engaged in the performance of the employee's duties or because of the status as an employee of the division; or
(f) Any justice of the Supreme Court, judge of the Superior Court, judge of the Tax Court or municipal judge while clearly identifiable as being engaged in the performance of judicial duties or because of the status as a member of the judiciary; or
(g) Any operator of a motorbus or the operator's supervisor or any employee of a rail passenger service while clearly identifiable as being engaged in the performance of the person's duties or because of the status as an operator of a motorbus or as the operator's supervisor or as an employee of a rail passenger service; or
(h) Any Department of Corrections employee, county correctional police officer, juvenile correctional police officer, State juvenile facility employee, juvenile detention staff member, juvenile detention officer, probation officer or any sheriff, undersheriff, or sheriff's officer acting in the performance of the person's duties while in uniform or exhibiting evidence of the person's authority or because of the status as a Department of Corrections employee, county correctional police officer, juvenile correctional police officer, State juvenile facility employee, juvenile detention staff member, juvenile detention officer, probation officer, sheriff, undersheriff, or sheriff's officer; or
(i) Any employee, including any person employed under contract, of a utility company as defined in section 2 of P.L.1971, c.224 (C.2A:42-86) or a cable television company subject to the provisions of the "Cable Television Act," P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.) while clearly identifiable as being engaged in the performance of the employee's duties in regard to connecting, disconnecting, or repairing or attempting to connect, disconnect, or repair any gas, electric, or water utility, or cable television or telecommunication service; or
(j) Any health care worker employed by a licensed health care facility to provide direct patient care, any health care professional licensed or otherwise authorized pursuant to Title 26 or Title 45 of the Revised Statutes to practice a health care profession, except a direct care worker at a State or county psychiatric hospital or State developmental center or veterans' memorial home, while clearly identifiable as being engaged in the duties of providing direct patient care or practicing the health care profession; or
(k) Any direct care worker at a State or county psychiatric hospital or State developmental center or veterans' memorial home, while clearly identifiable as being engaged in the duties of providing direct patient care or practicing the health care profession, provided that the actor is not a patient or resident at the facility who is classified by the facility as having a mental illness or developmental disability; or
(6) Causes bodily injury to another person while fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer in violation of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:29-2 or while operating a motor vehicle in violation of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:20-10. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a person shall be strictly liable for a violation of this paragraph upon proof of a violation of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:29-2 or while operating a motor vehicle in violation of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:20-10 which resulted in bodily injury to another person; or
(7) Attempts to cause significant bodily injury to another or causes significant bodily injury purposely or knowingly or, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life recklessly causes such significant bodily injury; or
(8) Causes bodily injury by knowingly or purposely starting a fire or causing an explosion in violation of N.J.S.2C:17-1 which results in bodily injury to any emergency services personnel involved in fire suppression activities, rendering emergency medical services resulting from the fire or explosion or rescue operations, or rendering any necessary assistance at the scene of the fire or explosion, including any bodily injury sustained while responding to the scene of a reported fire or explosion. For purposes of this paragraph, "emergency services personnel" shall include, but not be limited to, any paid or volunteer firefighter, any person engaged in emergency first-aid or medical services and any law enforcement officer. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a person shall be strictly liable for a violation of this paragraph upon proof of a violation of N.J.S.2C:17-1 which resulted in bodily injury to any emergency services personnel; or
(9) Knowingly, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, points or displays a firearm, as defined in subsection f. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, at or in the direction of a law enforcement officer; or
(10) Knowingly points, displays or uses an imitation firearm, as defined in subsection v. of N.J.S.2C:39-1, at or in the direction of a law enforcement officer with the purpose to intimidate, threaten, or attempt to put the officer in fear of bodily injury or for any unlawful purpose; or
(11) Uses or activates a laser sighting system or device, or a system or device which, in the manner used, would cause a reasonable person to believe that it is a laser sighting system or device, against a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of the officer's duties while in uniform or exhibiting evidence of the officer's authority. As used in this paragraph, "laser sighting system or device" means any system or device that is integrated with or affixed to a firearm and emits a laser light beam that is used to assist in the sight alignment or aiming of the firearm; or
(12) Attempts to cause significant bodily injury or causes significant bodily injury purposely or knowingly or, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, recklessly causes significant bodily injury to a person who, with respect to the actor, meets the definition of a victim of domestic violence, as defined in subsection d. of section 3 of P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-19); or
(13) Knowingly or, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, recklessly obstructs the breathing or blood circulation of a person who, with respect to the actor, meets the definition of a victim of domestic violence, as defined in subsection d. of section 3 of P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-19), by applying pressure on the throat or neck or blocking the nose or mouth of such person, thereby causing or attempting to cause bodily injury.
Aggravated assault under paragraphs (1) and (6) of subsection b. of this section is a crime of the second degree; under paragraphs (2), (7), (9), and (10) of subsection b. of this section is a crime of the third degree; under paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection b. of this section is a crime of the fourth degree; and under paragraph (5) of subsection b. of this section is a crime of the third degree if the victim suffers bodily injury, otherwise it is a crime of the fourth degree, except that any aggravated assault under subparagraph (g) of paragraph (5) of subsection b. of this section shall be a crime of the third degree. Aggravated assault under paragraph (8) of subsection b. of this section is a crime of the third degree if the victim suffers bodily injury; if the victim suffers significant bodily injury or serious bodily injury it is a crime of the second degree. Aggravated assault under paragraph (11) of subsection b. of this section is a crime of the third degree. Aggravated assault under paragraph (12) of subsection b. of this section is a crime of the third degree but the presumption of non-imprisonment set forth in subsection e. of N.J.S.2C:44-1 for a first offense of a crime of the third degree shall not apply. Aggravated assault under paragraph (13) of subsection b. of this section is a crime of the second degree.
c. (1) A person is guilty of assault by auto or vessel when the person drives a vehicle or vessel recklessly and causes either serious bodily injury or bodily injury to another. Assault by auto or vessel is a crime of the fourth degree if serious bodily injury results and is a disorderly persons offense if bodily injury results. Proof that the defendant was operating a hand-held wireless telephone while driving a motor vehicle in violation of section 1 of P.L.2003, c.310 (C.39:4-97.3) may give rise to an inference that the defendant was driving recklessly.
(2) Assault by auto or vessel is a crime of the third degree if the person drives the vehicle while in violation of R.S.39:4-50 or section 2 of P.L.1981, c.512 (C.39:4-50.4a) and serious bodily injury results and is a crime of the fourth degree if the person drives the vehicle while in violation of R.S.39:4-50 or section 2 of P.L.1981, c.512 (C.39:4-50.4a) and bodily injury results.
(3) Assault by auto or vessel is a crime of the second degree if serious bodily injury results from the defendant operating the auto or vessel while in violation of R.S.39:4-50 or section 2 of P.L.1981, c.512 (C.39:4-50.4a) while:
(a) on any school property used for school purposes which is owned by or leased to any elementary or secondary school or school board, or within 1,000 feet of such school property;
(b) driving through a school crossing as defined in R.S.39:1-1 if the municipality, by ordinance or resolution, has designated the school crossing as such; or
(c) driving through a school crossing as defined in R.S.39:1-1 knowing that juveniles are present if the municipality has not designated the school crossing as such by ordinance or resolution.
Assault by auto or vessel is a crime of the third degree if bodily injury results from the defendant operating the auto or vessel in violation of this paragraph.
A map or true copy of a map depicting the location and boundaries of the area on or within 1,000 feet of any property used for school purposes which is owned by or leased to any elementary or secondary school or school board produced pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1987, c.101 (C.2C:35-7) may be used in a prosecution under subparagraph (a) of paragraph (3) of this subsection.
It shall be no defense to a prosecution for a violation of subparagraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (3) of this subsection that the defendant was unaware that the prohibited conduct took place while on or within 1,000 feet of any school property or while driving through a school crossing. Nor shall it be a defense to a prosecution under subparagraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (3) of this subsection that no juveniles were present on the school property or crossing zone at the time of the offense or that the school was not in session.
(4) Assault by auto or vessel is a crime of the third degree if the person purposely drives a vehicle in an aggressive manner directed at another vehicle and serious bodily injury results and is a crime of the fourth degree if the person purposely drives a vehicle in an aggressive manner directed at another vehicle and bodily injury results. For purposes of this paragraph, "driving a vehicle in an aggressive manner" shall include, but is not limited to, unexpectedly altering the speed of the vehicle, making improper or erratic traffic lane changes, disregarding traffic control devices, failing to yield the right of way, or following another vehicle too closely.
As used in this subsection, "vessel" means a means of conveyance for travel on water and propelled otherwise than by muscular power.
d. A person who is employed by a facility as defined in section 2 of P.L.1977, c.239 (C.52:27G-2) who commits a simple assault as defined in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection a. of this section upon an institutionalized elderly person as defined in section 2 of P.L.1977, c.239 (C.52:27G-2) is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
e. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2001, c.443).
f. A person who commits a simple assault as defined in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection a. of this section in the presence of a child under 16 years of age at a school or community sponsored youth sports event is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. The defendant shall be strictly liable upon proof that the offense occurred, in fact, in the presence of a child under 16 years of age. It shall not be a defense that the defendant did not know that the child was present or reasonably believed that the child was 16 years of age or older. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to create any liability on the part of a participant in a youth sports event or to abrogate any immunity or defense available to a participant in a youth sports event. As used in this act, "school or community sponsored youth sports event" means a competition, practice, or instructional event involving one or more interscholastic sports teams or youth sports teams organized pursuant to a nonprofit or similar charter or which are member teams in a youth league organized by or affiliated with a county or municipal recreation department and shall not include collegiate, semi-professional or professional sporting events.
(cf: P.L.2021, c.172, s.1)
2. Section 5 of P.L.1979, c.150 (C.27:25-5) is amended to read as follows:
5. In addition to the powers and duties conferred upon it elsewhere in this act, the corporation may do all acts necessary and reasonably incident to carrying out the objectives of this act, including but not in limitation thereof the following:
a. Sue and be sued;
b. Have an official seal and alter the same at pleasure;
c. Make and alter bylaws for its organization and internal management and for the conduct of its affairs and business;
d. Maintain an office at such place or places within the State as it may determine;
e. Adopt, amend and repeal such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act, which shall have the force and effect of law; it shall publish the same and file them in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) with the Director of the Office of Administrative Law;
f. Call to its assistance and avail itself of the service of such employees of any federal, State, county or municipal department or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for said purpose;
g. Apply for, accept and expend money from any federal, State, county or municipal agency or instrumentality and from any private source as gifts, grants, or loans; comply with federal statutes, rules and regulations, and qualify for and receive all forms of financial assistance available under federal law to assure the continuance of, or for the support or improvement of public transportation and as may be necessary for that purpose to enter into agreements, including federally required labor protective agreements;
h. Plan, design, construct, equip, operate, improve, maintain, and, through the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, finance either directly or by contract with any public or private entity, public transportation services, capital equipment and facilities or any parts or functions thereof, and other transportation projects, or any parts or functions thereof, which may be funded under section 3 of the federal Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, Pub.L.88-365 (49 U.S.C. s.1602), or any successor or additional federal act having substantially the same or similar purposes or functions; the operation of the facilities of the corporation, by the corporation or any public or private entity, may include appropriate and reasonable limitations on competition in order that maximum service may be provided most efficiently to the public;
i. Apply for and accept, from appropriate regulatory bodies, authority to operate public transportation services where necessary;
j. Purchase, lease as lessee, or otherwise acquire, own, hold, improve, use and otherwise deal in and with real or personal property, or any interest therein, from any public or private entity, wherever situated;
k. Lease as lessor, sell or otherwise dispose of on terms which the corporation may prescribe, real and personal property, including tangible or intangible property and consumable goods, or any interest therein, to any public or private entity, in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties under this act. In order to provide or encourage adequate and efficient public transportation service, the corporation may lease or otherwise permit the use or occupancy of property without cost or at a nominal rental;
l. Restrict the rights of persons to enter upon or construct any works in or upon any property owned or leased by the corporation, except under such terms as the corporation may prescribe; perform or contract for the performance of all acts necessary for the management, maintenance and repair of real or personal property leased or otherwise used or occupied pursuant to this act; and prohibit from using transportation services provided by the corporation, or by a contractor of the corporation, any person who assaults an operator of a motorbus or the operator's supervisor or any employee of a rail passenger service while clearly identifiable as being engaged in the performance of the person's duties or because of the status as an operator of a motorbus or as the operator's supervisor or as an employee of a rail passenger service, for a term to be determined by the corporation not to exceed one calendar year, unless the person used a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault in which case the person may be banned for life, provided that the person has the right to appeal any determination made pursuant to this subsection;
m. Establish one or more operating divisions as deemed necessary;
n. Set and collect fares and determine levels of service for service provided by the corporation either directly or by contract including, but not limited to, such reduced fare programs as deemed appropriate by the corporation; revenues derived from such service may be collected by the corporation and shall be available to the corporation for use in furtherance of any of the purposes of this act;
o. Set and collect rentals, fees, charges or other payments from the lease, use, occupancy or disposition of properties owned or leased by the corporation; such revenues shall be available to the corporation for use in furtherance of any of the purposes of this act;
p. Deposit corporate revenues in interest bearing accounts or in the State of New Jersey Cash Management Fund established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1977, c.281 (C.52:18A-90.4);
q. Delegate to subordinate officers of the corporation such powers and duties as the corporation shall deem necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of this act;
r. (1) Procure and enter into contracts for any type of insurance and indemnify against loss or damage to property from any cause, including loss of use and occupancy, against death or injury of any person, against employees' liability, against any act of any member, officer, employee or servant of the corporation, whether part-time, full-time, compensated or noncompensated, in the performance of the duties of his office or employment or any other insurable risk. In addition, the corporation may carry its own liability insurance and may also establish and utilize a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary or captive provided the subsidiary or captive is domiciled in the United States in a state which is accredited by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and which licenses and regulates wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries or captives; and
(2) Pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the corporation's chief of procurement is authorized to reach an agreement to defend and indemnify a person against claims, causes of action, demands, costs or judgments against that person arising as a direct result of that person's contract with the corporation, upon the terms and limitations the chief deems reasonable and appropriate. An agreement to defend and indemnify pursuant to this subsection shall not bar, reduce, limit or affect any remedies which the corporation may have to enforce the corporation's agreement or to assert a claim for damages to which the corporation may be entitled arising out of the person's failure to perform the agreement, or for the recovery of funds expended for the defense of a person if the defense was undertaken in response to a claim or cause of action brought against the person which is proven to have arisen from gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, intentional tort, bad faith, or criminal conduct. No one other than the person who is party to the agreement with the corporation may enforce any agreement for defense or indemnification between that person and the corporation;
s. Promote the use of public transportation services, coordinate ticket sales and passenger information and sell, lease or otherwise contract for advertising in or on the equipment or facilities of the corporation;
t. Adopt and maintain employee benefit programs for employees of the corporation including, but not limited to, pension, deferred compensation, medical disability, and death benefits, and which programs may utilize insurance contracts, trust funds, and any other appropriate means of providing the stipulated benefits, and may involve new plans or the continuation of plans previously established by entities acquired by the corporation;
u. Own, control, vote, and exercise any and all other rights incidental to the ownership of any equity, membership interest, or any shares of the capital stock of any incorporated entity acquired, formed, incorporated, or established by law by the corporation pursuant to the powers granted by this act. Any such corporate entity may be utilized in order to enable the corporation to participate with other private or public entities in any transaction, memorandum of understanding, undertaking, or arrangement that the corporation would have the power to conduct by itself, whether or not such participation involves sharing or delegation of control with or to other public or private entities regarding the ownership, operation, control, and management of services, equipment, or facilities. For purposes of this subsection, "corporate entity" means any business entity, including but not limited to, any corporation, limited liability company, joint venture, limited partnership, general partnership, association of any kind, or collaborative arrangement that may be jointly owned by the corporation and any other public or private entities that provide public transportation services;
v. Enter into any and all agreements or contracts, execute any and all instruments, and do and perform any and all acts or things necessary, convenient or desirable for the purposes of the corporation, or to carry out any power expressly or implicitly given in this act;
w. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 17 of P.L.1979, c.150 (C.27:25-17) or any other law to the contrary, (1) issue operating grant anticipation notes which shall be secured and retired from operating assistance grants authorized under section 9 of the federal Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, Pub.L.88-365 (49 U.S.C. s.1602), or any successor or additional federal act having substantially the same or similar purposes or functions and (2) issue capital grant anticipation notes which shall be secured and retired from capital assistance grants authorized under section 3 or section 9 of the federal Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, Pub.L.88-365 (49 U.S.C. s.1602), or any successor or additional federal act having substantially the same or similar purposes or functions. As used in this subsection, "operating grant anticipation notes" or "capital grant anticipation notes" (hereinafter referred to as "notes") means credit obligations issued in anticipation of these grants. All grant anticipation notes shall be authorized by a resolution or resolutions of the corporation, and may be issued in one or more series and shall bear the date, or dates, bear interest at the rate or rates of interest per annum, be in the denomination or denominations, be in the form, carry the conversion or registration privileges, have the rank or priority, be executed in such manner as the resolution or resolutions require. The notes may be sold at public or private sale at the price or prices and in the manner that the corporation determines. The notes of the corporation, the sale or transfer thereof, and the income derived therefrom by the purchasers of the notes, shall, at all times, be free from taxation for State or local purposes, under any law of the State or any political subdivision thereof. Notes may be issued under the provisions of P.L.1979, c.150 (C.27:25-1 et seq.) without obtaining the consent of any department, division, commission, board, bureau or agency of the State, and without any other proceedings, conditions, or things which are specifically required by P.L.1979, c.150 (C.27:25-1 et seq.). The notes issued pursuant to P.L.1979, c.150 (C.27:25-1 et seq.) shall not in any way create or constitute any indebtedness, liability or obligation of the State or of any political subdivision thereof or of the corporation, except as provided herein.
The grant anticipation notes shall be payable solely from (1) note proceeds, to the extent not disbursed to the corporation, (2) grant payments if, as, and when received from the federal government, and (3) investment earnings on note proceeds, to the extent not disbursed to the corporation. Each note shall contain on its face a statement to the effect that the corporation is obligated to pay the principal thereof or the interest thereon only from these grants to the corporation and from the proceeds of the notes and investment earnings on the proceeds of the notes, to the extent not disbursed to the corporation, and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the State or of any political subdivision thereof or of the corporation is pledged to the payment of the principal and interest on these notes. Neither the members of the corporation's board nor any person executing the transactions are personally liable on those notes nor are they otherwise liable for their actions. Subject to any agreement with the debtholders, the corporation may invest moneys of the corporation not required for immediate use, including proceeds from the sale of any notes, in such obligations, securities and other investments as the corporation shall deem prudent;
x. Enter into agreements with a public or private entity or consortia thereof to provide for the development of demonstration projects through the use of public-private partnerships pursuant to sections 1 through 9 of P.L.1997, c.136 (C.27:1D-1 through C.27:1D-9);
y. Enter into agreements with a public or private entity or consortia thereof to provide for the development of projects through the use of public-private partnerships. All building construction projects under a public-private partnership agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection shall contain a project labor agreement, unless the federal government or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that requiring such an agreement would violate federal law or regulation, or including such an agreement would preclude the corporation from receiving federal funding for the project. Project labor agreements shall be subject to the provisions of P.L.2002, c.44 (C.52:38-1 et seq.); and
z. To employ and retain legal counsel at the corporation's discretion, including choosing representation by the Attorney General.
(cf: P.L.2018, c.162, s.4)
3. (New section) a. The corporation shall equip each motorbus, rail vehicle, and light rail vehicle with a communication system that allows the operator of the motorbus or rail passenger service employee to alert the corporation, New Jersey Transit police, and any other appropriate law enforcement agencies when the operator or employee is in distress.
b. The corporation shall coordinate with local law enforcement and New Jersey Transit police to allow law enforcement officers or transit police officers to ride along on a motorbus, rail vehicle, or light rail vehicle during high volume periods or on routes where the corporation anticipates the possibility for violence against the operator of a motorbus or employee of a rail passenger service.
c. The corporation shall establish a program to assist and support motorbus operators and passenger rail service employees that have been a victim of assault.
d. The corporation shall periodically provide violence and mental health training to motorbus operators and passenger rail service employees, which shall include training in techniques to deescalate situations and to avoid violence.
4. (New section) Any entity that provides rail passenger service is hereby authorized to prohibit from using transportation services provided by the entity any person who assaults an employee of the rail passenger service while clearly identifiable as being engaged in the performance of the person's duties or because of the status as an employee of the rail passenger service, for a term to be determined by the entity not to exceed one calendar year, unless the person used a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault in which case the person may be banned for life, provided that the person has the right to appeal any determination made pursuant to this section.
5. New section) a. The owner or operator of an autobus may prohibit from using transportation services provided by the owner or operator any person who assaults an operator of an autobus or the operator's supervisor while clearly identifiable as being engaged in the performance of the person's duties or because of the status as an operator of an autobus or as the operator's supervisor, for a term to be determined by the owner or operator of the autobus not to exceed one calendar year, unless the person used a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault in which case the person may be banned for life, provided that the person has the right to appeal any determination made pursuant to this subsection.
b. The owner of an autobus shall equip each autobus with a communication system that allows the operator of the autobus to alert the owner of the autobus and appropriate law enforcement agencies when the operator is in distress.
c. The owner or operator of an autobus shall coordinate with local law enforcement and transit police to allow law enforcement officers or transit police officers to ride along on an autobus during high volume periods or on routes where the owner of the autobus anticipates the possibility for violence against the operator of an autobus.
d. The owner of an autobus shall establish a program to assist and support operators of autobuses that have been a victim of assault.
e. The owner of an autobus shall periodically provide violence and mental health training to autobus operators, which shall include training in techniques to deescalate situations to avoid violence.
6. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill, named the "Motorbus and Passenger Rail Service Employee Violence Prevention Act," upgrades the penalty for all assaults on a motorbus or autobus operator, the operator's supervisor, and a rail passenger employee to, at minimum, third degree aggravated assault. A crime of the third degree is punishable by three to five years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $15,000, or both.
The bill empowers the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit), motorbus companies, and all rail passenger service providers to ban riders from their transportation services for up to one year if the person commits assault on a motorbus operator, the operator's supervisor, or a rail passenger employee. If a deadly weapon was used during the assault, the rider may be banned for life. The bill requires that NJ Transit and motorbus companies equip each bus and rail and light rail vehicle with a communication system that allows the operator to alert the company or NJ Transit, as appropriate, and appropriate law enforcement agencies when the operator is in distress. The bill requires NJ Transit and motorbus companies to coordinate with law enforcement and transit police to help protect bus operators and rail employees on potentially problematic routes. The bill also requires NJ Transit and motorbus companies to establish an employee assistance program for bus operators and rail employees that have been assaulted and to provide periodic violence and mental health training to bus operators and rail employees.
Employee Violence Prevention Act".
