SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 364

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 30, 2020

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 364.

      As reported by the committee, this bill upgrades the penalties for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident which results in a person’s death.   

     Under current law, a motor vehicle operator involved in an accident resulting in the death of another person who knowingly leaves the accident scene is guilty of a crime of the second degree.  Second degree crimes generally are punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000, or both.

     This bill upgrades this offense to a crime of the first degree when the accident results in another person’s death.  First degree crimes generally are punishable by a term of imprisonment of 10 to 20 years, a fine of up to $200,000, or both.

      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.