SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 593

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: March 5, 2020

      The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 593.

      As amended by the committee, this bill prohibits a State agency in the Executive or Legislative Branch of State government from entering into a nondisclosure agreement, in which the parties agree not to disclose the terms of a settlement, with any person to settle, or as part of the settlement of, a claim that the person was a victim of sexual assault or sexual harassment by a State officer or employee or a special State officer or employee, or a member of the Legislature, either prior to the filing of a lawsuit by that person or at any time after a lawsuit is filed. 

      The bill also prohibits the use of campaign funds to make a payment to a person in settlement of a claim that the person was the victim of sexual assault or sexual harassment by a candidate or an employee of a candidate, either prior to the filing of a lawsuit by that person or at any time after a lawsuit is filed. 

      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.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1) delete language that would have prohibited a State agency in the Executive or Legislative Branch of State government from using public funds as payment in the settlement of a sexual assault or sexual harassment claim; and

      (2) prohibit the use of nondisclosure agreements as part of the settlement of such a claim.