ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4453

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4453 with committee amendments.

      This bill, as amended, provides that during the public health emergency and state of emergency declared by the Governor in Executive Order 103 of 2020, any person would be subject to a fine, if, knowing that the person is not licensed or privileged to do so, the person enters or remains in a store or mercantile retail establishment as to which notice against trespass is given by signage posted that is visible and unobstructed, which signage states that anyone entering the premises of that store or retail mercantile establishment must be properly wearing a mask which at a minimum simultaneously covers the nose and mouth, and that person does not properly wear such a mask.  The fine for such a violation would be a minimum of $50 up to $500.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

The committee amendments to the bill:

      - make a violation subject to a fine of between $50 and $500, instead of it being a disorderly persons offense;

      - clarify that a person commits a violation if that person is not properly wearing a mask which at a minimum simultaneously covers the nose and mouth; and

      - update the bill’s title and synopsis to more accurately reflect the changes made by the amendments.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note.