ASSEMBLY HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 242

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 3, 2020

      The Assembly Human Services Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 242.

     This bill clarifies that, in situations where a person is unable to write because of a disability, the person will be permitted to execute a legal signature using an identifying mark or a fingerprint.  The bill specifies that the ability to execute a legal signature using a fingerprint or identifying mark is permitted unless expressly prohibited by law.  Nothing in the bill is to be construed to require any person to provide a fingerprint against the person’s will.

     The bill additionally includes an express provision permitting the use of an identifying mark or fingerprint in lieu of a written signature for voting purposes.  If a person who is unable to write declines to use an identifying mark or fingerprint signature for voting, the person’s identity may be verified as otherwise provided by law.

     The bill will require each department, division, and agency in the State to make available to the public, on its Internet website, information concerning the provisions of the bill.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.