Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman BETTYLOU DECROCE
District 26 (Essex, Morris and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits discrimination by government against individuals who have not received COVID-19 vaccine.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act COVID-19 vaccines and discrimination in State and local government buildings, and supplementing Title 10 of the Revised Statutes
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Notwithstanding any law, rule, regulation, or executive order to the contrary, it shall be unlawful to ask any individual if the individual has received a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, to require any individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, or to require any individual to show proof of having received a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of or as a prerequisite to:
(1) entry into any building, office, or structure owned or operated by a State, county, or municipal government entity; or
(2) participation in a program or the receipt of any benefit or service offered directly or indirectly by a State, county, or municipal government entity.
b. An individual who violates the provisions of this section shall, in addition to any other relief authorized by law, be liable for civil damages to the victim in the amount of $10,000 in an action brought in the Superior Court in the county where the offense occurred. In addition to an award of civil damages, the court shall order the defendant to pay such attorney's fees or expenses, or both, that are actually and reasonably incurred by the victim who is the successful party in the action.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits discrimination by the government against individuals who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine.
Under the bill, it is to be unlawful to ask any individual if the individual has received a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, to require any individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, or to require any individual to show proof of having received a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of or as a prerequisite to: (1) entry into any building, office, or structure owned or operated by a State, county, or municipal government entity; or (2) participation in a program or the receipt of any benefit or service offered directly or indirectly by a State, county, or municipal government entity.
The bill provides that an individual who violates the provisions of this bill is to, in addition to any other relief authorized by law, be liable for civil damages to the victim in the amount of $10,000 in an action brought in the Superior Court in the county where the offense occurred. In addition to an award of civil damages, the court is to order the defendant to pay such attorney's fees or expenses, or both, that are actually and reasonably incurred by the victim who is the successful party in the action.