ASSEMBLY CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND FOOD SECURITY
COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY, No. 502
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: MAY 16, 2024
The Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 502.
This bill is intended to protect the children and youth of this
State by prohibiting sex offenders from holding jobs which
primarily consist of contact with children.
The bill defines "primarily consists of contact with children" as
80 percent or more of the actual or official duties or responsibilities
include contact with a child.
"Sex offender" is defined as a person who has been convicted,
adjudicated delinquent or found not guilty by reason of insanity for
committing a broad range of sexual offenses as defined in the sex
offender registration law (Megan's Law).
Under the bill, it would be crime of the third degree for a sex
offender to hold a job which primarily consists of contact with
children. It would also be a crime of the third degree to knowingly
hire a sex offender for a job which primarily consists of contact
with children.
A crime of the third degree carries a penalty of three to five
years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.
This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2024-2025 session
pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes
required by technical review, which has been performed.