Bill Text: NJ S545 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires mandatory imprisonment for child luring and requires certain information about Megan's Law to be provided to sex offenders annually.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-14 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [S545 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-S545-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2020 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator RICHARD J. CODEY
District 27 (Essex and Morris)
SYNOPSIS
Requires mandatory imprisonment for child luring and requires certain information about Megan's Law to be provided to sex offenders annually.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning child luring and other sex offenses, and amending P.L.1993, c.291 and P.L.1994, c.133.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.1993, c.291 (C.2C:13-6) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. A person commits a crime of the second degree if he attempts, via electronic or any other means, to lure or entice a child or one who he reasonably believes to be a child into a motor vehicle, structure or isolated area, or to meet or appear at any other place, with a purpose to commit a criminal offense with or against the child.
b. As used in this section:
"Child" means a person less than 18 years old.
"Electronic means" includes, but is not limited to, the Internet, which shall have the meaning set forth in N.J.S.2C:24-4.
"Structure" means any building, room, ship, vessel or airplane and also means any place adapted for overnight accommodation of persons, or for carrying on business therein, whether or not a person is actually present.
c. Nothing herein shall be deemed to preclude, if the evidence so warrants, an indictment and conviction for attempted kidnapping under the provisions of N.J.S.2C:13-1.
d. A person convicted [of a second or subsequent offense] under this section shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-6, the term of imprisonment shall include, unless the person is sentenced pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.2C:43-7, a mandatory minimum term of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, or [three] five years, whichever is greater, during which time the defendant shall not be eligible for parole. [If the person is sentenced pursuant to N.J.S.2C:43-7, the court shall impose a minimum term of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, or five years, whichever is greater.] The court may not suspend or make any other non-custodial disposition of any person sentenced [as a second or subsequent offender] pursuant to this section.
[For the purposes of this section, an offense is considered a second or subsequent offense if the actor has at any time been convicted pursuant to this section, or under any similar statute of the United States, this State or any other state for an offense that is substantially equivalent to this section.]
e. A person convicted of an offense under this section who has previously been convicted of a violation of N.J.S.2C:14-2, subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:14-3 or N.J.S.2C:24-4 shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment[. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-6, the term of imprisonment shall include, unless the person is sentenced pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.2C:43-7, a mandatory minimum term of five years, during which time the defendant shall not be eligible for parole], which, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:43-6 or any other law to the contrary, shall include a minimum term of 85 percent of the sentence imposed or five years, whichever is greater, during which the defendant shall not be eligible for parole. The court may not suspend or make any other non-custodial disposition of any person sentenced pursuant to this section.
For the purposes of this subsection, an offense is considered a previous conviction of N.J.S.2C:14-2, subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:14-3 or N.J.S.2C:24-4 if the actor has at any time been convicted under any of these sections or under any similar statute of the United States, this State or any other state for an offense that is substantially equivalent to any of these sections.
f. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:1-8 or any other law, a conviction under this section shall not merge with a conviction of any other criminal offense, nor shall such other conviction merge with a conviction under this section, and the court shall impose separate sentences upon each violation of this section and any other criminal offense. The court may not suspend or make any other non-custodial disposition of any person sentenced pursuant to this section.
(cf: P.L.2007, c.273, s.1)
2. Section 2 of P.L.1994, c.133 (C.2C:7-2) is amended to read as follows:
2. a. (1) A person who has been convicted, adjudicated delinquent or found not guilty by reason of insanity for commission of a sex offense as defined in subsection b. of this section shall register as provided in subsections c. and d. of this section.
(2) A person who in another jurisdiction is required to register as a sex offender and (a) is enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis in any public or private educational institution in this State, including any secondary school, trade or professional institution, institution of higher education or other post-secondary school, or (b) is employed or carries on a vocation in this State, on either a full-time or a part-time basis, with or without compensation, for more than 14 consecutive days or for an aggregate period exceeding 30 days in a calendar year, shall register in this State as provided in subsections c. and d. of this section.
(3) A person who fails to register as required under this act shall be guilty of a crime of the third degree.
b. For the purposes of this act a sex offense shall include the following:
(1) Aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, kidnapping pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:13-1 or an attempt to commit any of these crimes if the court found that the offender's conduct was characterized by a pattern of repetitive, compulsive behavior, regardless of the date of the commission of the offense or the date of conviction;
(2) A conviction, adjudication of delinquency, or acquittal by reason of insanity for aggravated sexual assault; sexual assault; aggravated criminal sexual contact; kidnapping pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:13-1; endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child pursuant to subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:24-4; endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4), subparagraph (a), or sub-subparagraph (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (b) of paragraph (5) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:24-4; luring or enticing pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1993, c.291 (C.2C:13-6); criminal sexual contact pursuant to [N.J.S.2C:14-3b.] subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:14-3 if the victim is a minor; kidnapping pursuant to N.J.S.2C:13-1, criminal restraint pursuant to N.J.S.2C:13-2, or false imprisonment pursuant to N.J.S.2C:13-3 if the victim is a minor and the offender is not the parent of the victim; knowingly promoting prostitution of a child pursuant to paragraph (3) or paragraph (4) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:34-1; leader of a child pornography network pursuant to section 8 of P.L.2017, c.141 (C.2C:24-4.1); or an attempt to commit any of these enumerated offenses if the conviction, adjudication of delinquency or acquittal by reason of insanity is entered on or after the effective date of this act or the offender is serving a sentence of incarceration, probation, parole or other form of community supervision as a result of the offense or is confined following acquittal by reason of insanity or as a result of civil commitment on the effective date of this act;
(3) A conviction, adjudication of delinquency, or acquittal by reason of insanity for an offense similar to any offense enumerated in paragraph (2) or a sentence on the basis of criteria similar to the criteria set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection entered or imposed under the laws of the United States, this State, or another state.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection, a sex offense shall not include an adjudication of delinquency for endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to paragraph (4) or (5) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:24-4, provided that the actor demonstrates that:
(a) the facts of the case are limited to the creation, exhibition or distribution of a photograph depicting nudity or portraying a child in a sexually suggestive manner, as defined in N.J.S.2C:24-4, through the use of an electronic communications device, an interactive wireless communications device, or a computer;
(b) the creator and subject of the photograph are juveniles or were juveniles at the time of its making; and
(c) the subject of the photograph whose nudity is depicted or who is portrayed in a sexually suggestive manner, as the case may be, knowingly consented to the making of the photograph.
c. A person required to register under the provisions of this act shall do so on forms to be provided by the designated registering agency as follows:
(1) A person who is required to register and who is under supervision in the community on probation, parole, furlough, work release, or a similar program, shall register at the time the person is placed under supervision or no later than 120 days after the effective date of this act, whichever is later, in accordance with procedures established by the Department of Corrections, the Department of Human Services, the Juvenile Justice Commission established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1995, c.284 (C.52:17B-170) or the Administrative Office of the Courts, whichever is responsible for supervision;
(2) A person confined in a correctional or juvenile facility or involuntarily committed who is required to register shall register prior to release in accordance with procedures established by the Department of Corrections, the Department of Human Services or the Juvenile Justice Commission and, within 48 hours of release, shall also register with the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the person resides or, if the municipality does not have a local police force, the Superintendent of State Police;
(3) A person moving to or returning to this State from another jurisdiction shall register with the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the person will reside or, if the municipality does not have a local police force, the Superintendent of State Police within 120 days of the effective date of this act or 10 days of first residing in or returning to a municipality in this State, whichever is later;
(4) A person required to register on the basis of a conviction prior to the effective date who is not confined or under supervision on the effective date of this act shall register within 120 days of the effective date of this act with the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the person will reside or, if the municipality does not have a local police force, the Superintendent of State Police;
(5) A person who in another jurisdiction is required to register as a sex offender and who is enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis in any public or private educational institution in this State, including any secondary school, trade or professional institution, institution of higher education or other post-secondary school shall, within [ten] 10 days of commencing attendance at such educational institution, register with the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the educational institution is located or, if the municipality does not have a local police force, the Superintendent of State Police;
(6) A person who in another jurisdiction is required to register as a sex offender and who is employed or carries on a vocation in this State, on either a full-time or a part-time basis, with or without compensation, for more than 14 consecutive days or for an aggregate period exceeding 30 days in a calendar year, shall, within [ten] 10 days after commencing such employment or vocation, register with the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the employer is located or where the vocation is carried on, as the case may be, or, if the municipality does not have a local police force, the Superintendent of State Police;
(7) In addition to any other registration requirements set forth in this section, a person required to register under this act who is enrolled at, employed by or carries on a vocation at an institution of higher education or other post-secondary school in this State shall, within 10 days after commencing such attendance, employment or vocation, register with the law enforcement unit of the educational institution, if the institution has such a unit.
d. (1) Upon a change of address, a person shall notify the law enforcement agency with which the person is registered and shall re-register with the appropriate law enforcement agency no less than 10 days before he intends to first reside at his new address. Upon a change of employment or school enrollment status, a person shall notify the appropriate law enforcement agency no later than five days after any such change. A person who fails to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of a change of address or status in accordance with this subsection is guilty of a crime of the third degree.
(2) A person required to register under this act shall provide the appropriate law enforcement agency with information as to whether the person has routine access to or use of a computer or any other device with Internet capability. A person who fails to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of such information or of a change in the person's access to or use of a computer or other device with Internet capability or who provides false information concerning the person's access to or use of a computer or any other device with Internet capability is guilty of a crime of the third degree.
e. (1) A person required to register under paragraph (1) of subsection b. of this section or under paragraph (3) of subsection b. due to a sentence imposed on the basis of criteria similar to the criteria set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection b. shall verify his address with the appropriate law enforcement agency every 90 days in a manner prescribed by the Attorney General. A person required to register under paragraph (2) of subsection b. of this section or under paragraph (3) of subsection b. on the basis of a conviction for an offense similar to an offense enumerated in paragraph (2) of subsection b. shall verify his address annually in a manner prescribed by the Attorney General. In addition to address information, the person shall provide as part of the verification process any additional information the Attorney General may require. One year after the effective date of this act, the Attorney General shall review, evaluate and, if warranted, modify pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) the verification requirement. Any person who knowingly provides false information concerning his place of residence or who fails to verify his address with the appropriate law enforcement agency or other entity, as prescribed by the Attorney General in accordance with this subsection, is guilty of a crime of the third degree.
(2) Whenever a person registers or verifies his address pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the registrant shall be informed, in accordance with procedures established by the Attorney General, of the penalties for committing a subsequent offense, including but not limited to luring a child pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1993, c.291 (C.2C:13-6), aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, and criminal sexual contact, in addition to the registration and verification requirements of Megan's Law.
f. Except as provided in subsection g. of this section, a person required to register under this act may make application to the Superior Court of this State to terminate the obligation upon proof that the person has not committed an offense within 15 years following conviction or release from a correctional facility for any term of imprisonment imposed, whichever is later, and is not likely to pose a threat to the safety of others.
g. A person required to register under this section who has been convicted of, adjudicated delinquent, or acquitted by reason of insanity for more than one sex offense as defined in subsection b. of this section or who has been convicted of, adjudicated delinquent, or acquitted by reason of insanity for aggravated sexual assault pursuant to subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:14-2 or sexual assault pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:14-2 is not eligible under subsection f. of this section to make application to the Superior Court of this State to terminate the registration obligation.
(cf: P.L.2017, c.141, s.3)
3. Section 1 of this act
shall take effect immediately; section 2 shall take effect on the first day of
the fifth month after enactment, except that the Attorney General, prior to the
effective date, may take any anticipatory action necessary for the timely
implementation of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill enhances the penalties for luring a child with the intent to commit a criminal offense against the child. The bill also requires that registered sex offenders be informed of the penalties for committing certain sex offenses.
Under current law, luring a child is a crime of the second degree, punishable by five to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both. Second degree crimes carry a presumption that the court will sentence the offender to a term of incarceration, unless that presumption is overcome by the offender. An offender who is sentenced to incarceration receives a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment without parole eligibility. In addition, current law prohibits the court from suspending or making any other non-custodial disposition of a second or subsequent offender.
Under the provisions of this bill all offenders convicted of luring a child would receive a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of one-third to one-half of the sentence imposed, or five years, whichever is greater, during which the defendant would not be eligible for parole. The court is not permitted to suspend or make any other non-custodial disposition of any offender convicted of luring a child.
Current law also provides that an offender convicted of luring a child who has a previous conviction for aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, or endangering the welfare of a child is to be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, during which the offender is not eligible for parole. Under this bill, a person convicted of luring a child who had been previously convicted of one of the foregoing crimes will be required to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed, or five years, whichever is greater, during which he or she would not be eligible for parole.
Finally, the bill requires that a sex offender receives certain information whenever registering or verifying his or her address. The bill requires the registered sex offender to be informed, in accordance with procedures established by the Attorney General, of the penalties for subsequent sex offenses, including, but not limited to luring a child, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, and criminal sexual contact. This information is to be provided in addition to the information regarding the registration and verification requirements of Megan's Law provided under current law.
