Bill Text: NJ S635 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Increases penalties for purposely desecrating any public monument, insignia, symbol, or structure, or place of worship or burial.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-01-11 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee [S635 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2022-S635-Introduced.html

---

SENATE, No. 635

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2022 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  DECLAN J. O'SCANLON, JR.

District 13 (Monmouth)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Increases penalties for purposely desecrating any public monument, insignia, symbol, or structure, or place of worship or burial.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

  

An Act concerning certain crimes and amending P.L.1978, c.95. 

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    N.J.S.2C:33-9 is amended to read as follows:

     2C:33-9.     Desecration of Venerated Objects.  A person commits a [disorderly persons offense] crime of the fourth degree if he purposely desecrates any public monument, insignia, symbol, or structure, or place of worship or burial. "Desecrate" means defacing, damaging or polluting.

(cf: N.J.S.2C:33-9)

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately. 

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill would increase the penalties for purposely desecrating any public monument, insignia, symbol, or structure, or place of worship or burial from a disorderly persons offense to a crime of the fourth degree.  A fourth degree crime is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, up to a $10,000 fine, or both.  A disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, up to a $1,000 fine, or both.