SENATE, No. 827

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED JANUARY 18, 2022

Sponsored by:

Senator  JON M. BRAMNICK

District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)

Senator  JOSEPH P. CRYAN

District 20 (Union)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Gill

SYNOPSIS

     Makes it a crime of the fourth degree for a private citizen to use a tracking device to track another person without that person’s consent.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

An Act concerning electronic tracking devices and supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.

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

     1.    a.    As used in this act, an “electronic tracking device” is any device used to track the location or movement of a person that reveals its location or movement by the transmission of electronic signals.

     b.    A person who uses an electronic tracking device without the written consent of the person whose location or movements are being tracked commits a crime of the fourth degree. 

     c.     This act shall not apply to:

     (1)   the lawful use of an electronic tracking device by a law enforcement agency; or

     (2)   the parent or guardian of a minor child who uses an electronic tracking device for the purpose of tracking such minor child.

     2.    This act shall take effect on the 90^th day following enactment and shall apply to a person who uses an electronic tracking device on or after the effective date of this act.

STATEMENT

     This bill would make it a crime of the fourth degree to use a tracking device to track the movements or location of another person without that person’s consent.

     The bill would not apply to the lawful use of an electronic tracking device by a law enforcement agency, or to the parent or guardian of a minor child who uses an electronic tracking device for the purpose of tracking such minor child.

     The bill defines “electronic tracking device” as any device used to track the location or movement of a person that reveals its location or movement by the transmission of electronic signals.

     A crime of the fourth degree is generally punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months or a fine of up to $10,000 or both.