Bill Text: NJ S2964 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes offense of targeted picketing of residence.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-08-08 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee [S2964 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-S2964-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator EDWARD DURR
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes offense of targeted picketing of residence.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing the offense of targeted picketing of a residence and supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section:
"Picketing" means the stationing or posting of one or more individuals to apprise the public, vocally or by standing or marching with signs, banners, sound amplification devices, or other means, of an opinion or a message.
"Residence" means any single-family, duplex, or multi-family dwelling unit where a person resides and that is not being used as a place of public meeting.
b. A person commits targeted picketing of a residence if the person engages in picketing, with or without signs, that is specifically directed toward or focused on the residence, or one or more occupants of the residence, of a person in this State and when the picketing takes place:
(1) on a portion of the sidewalk or street that is in front of the residence, in front of an adjoining residence, or on either side of the residence; or
(2) within 100 feet of the property line of the residence.
A person who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense.
c. The provisions of subsection b. of this section shall not apply to:
(1) a person picketing at the person's own residence;
(2) picketing that takes place at a meeting place or assembly area commonly used to discuss subjects of general public interest; or
(3) picketing that proceeds through a residential neighborhood or proceeds past a residence.
d. A person who publishes, posts, disseminates, or discloses the residential address, or other information identifying the specific location of the residence, of a person who in this State with the intent to cause another person to engage in targeted picketing of a residence shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes the offense of targeted picketing of a residence. Under the bill, a person commits targeted picketing, a disorderly persons offense, if the person engages in picketing, with or without signs, that is specifically directed toward or focused on the residence, or one or more occupants of the residence, of a person in this State and the picketing takes place: (1) on a portion of the sidewalk or street that is in front of the residence, in front of an adjoining residence or on either side of the residence; or (2) within 100 feet of the property line of the residence. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
A person is not guilty of targeted picketing of a residence under the bill if the person is picketing at the person's own residence or at a meeting place or assembly area commonly used to discuss subjects of general public interest; or engages in picketing that proceeds through a residential neighborhood or proceeds past a residence.
Under the bill, a person also commits a disorderly persons offense if the person publishes, posts, disseminates, or discloses the residential address or other information identifying the specific location of the residence of a person in this State with the intent to cause another person to engage in targeted picketing.
The bill defines "picketing" as the stationing or posting of one or more individuals to apprise the public, vocally or by standing or marching with signs, banners, sound amplification devices, or other means, of an opinion or a message. "Residence" is defined as any single-family, duplex, or multi-family dwelling unit where a person resides and that is not being used as a place of public meeting.
