ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1731

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 2, 2021

      The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1731.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 1731 would prohibit the release of any personal identifying information of violent crime victims and witnesses under P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), commonly known as the “Open Public Records Act.”  Current law specifically provides that the name, address, and age of any victims of crime are public record.  This bill would delete that provision and clarify that all manner of personal identifying information of violent crime victims and witnesses are confidential for purposes of public records requests to bolster the safety and privacy of violent crime victims and witnesses.

      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.