Sponsored by:
Senator PATRICK J. DIEGNAN, JR.
District 18 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Requires autocycles to be insured for PIP coverage to pedestrians.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning insurance coverage required of autocycles and amending P.L.2016, c.35 and P.L.1983, c.362.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 2 of P.L.2016, c.35 (C.39:3-10.34) is amended to read as follows:
2. a. An autocycle shall be registered as a motorcycle pursuant to R.S.39:3-4.
b. A person shall not be required to hold a motorcycle license or a motorcycle endorsement to operate an autocycle if the person holds a basic driver's license to operate a motor vehicle pursuant to R.S.39:3-10.
c. A person shall not drive, operate, or ride as a passenger in an autocycle without: (1) sitting on a seat; (2) properly using a safety seat belt; and (3) wearing a securely fitted protective helmet pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1967, c.237 (C.39:3-76.7) if required.
d. A person operating an autocycle shall not permit a child to be a passenger in the autocycle if the child would be required to be secured in a child passenger restraint system, pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1983, c.128 (C.39:3-76.2a).
e. An owner or registered owner of an autocycle registered or principally garaged in this State shall maintain motor vehicle liability insurance coverage pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1972, c.197 (C.39:6B-1), personal injury protection coverage for pedestrians pursuant to section [4 of P.L.1972, c.70 (C.39:6A-4)] 19 of P.L. 1983, c.362 (C.17:28-1.3), and uninsured motorist coverage pursuant to section 14 of P.L.1972, c.70 (C.39:6A-14).
f. The chief administrator shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as are necessary to implement this act. The chief administrator may include information on autocycles in the commission's driver's manual and on its Internet website.
(cf: P.L.2016, c.35, s.2)
2. Section 19 of P.L.1983, c.362 (C.17:28-1.3) is amended to read as follows:
19. Every liability insurance
policy issued in this State on a motor vehicle, exclusive of an automobile as
defined in section 2 of P.L. 1972, c.70 (C.39:6A-2), but including a motorcycle
and an autocycle, or on a motorized bicycle, insuring against loss
resulting from liability imposed by law for bodily injury, death, and property
damage sustained by any person arising out of the ownership,
operation, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle or motorized bicycle shall provide personal injury protection coverage benefits, in accordance with section 4 of P.L. 1972, c. 70 (C. 39:6A-4), to pedestrians who sustain bodily injury in the State caused by the named insured's motor vehicle or motorized bicycle or by being struck by an object propelled by or from the motor vehicle or motorized bicycle.
(cf: P.L.1985, c.520, s.19)
3. This act shall take effect on the 180th day next following enactment and shall apply to insurance policies on autocycles issued on or after that date.
STATEMENT
This bill provides that an owner or registered owner of an autocycle registered or principally garaged in this State shall maintain personal injury protection, or "PIP," coverage for pedestrians as part of the insurance coverage required for these vehicles. Additionally, motor vehicle liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage is already required. This bill changes the current statutory requirement from standard PIP coverage to PIP coverage for pedestrians only, as is the case with other motorcycles and motorized bicycles.