ASSEMBLY, No. 2416

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 6, 2014

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  RONALD S. DANCER

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Authorizes wiretapping to investigate crimes involving human trafficking or certain prostitution activities.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

An Act concerning the interception of communications for investigating certain crimes and amending P.L.1968, c.409.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1. Section 8 of P.L.1968, c.409 (C.2A:156A-8) is amended to read as follows:

     8.    The Attorney General, county prosecutor or a person designated to act for such an official and to perform his duties in and during his actual absence or disability, may authorize, in writing, an ex parte application to a judge designated to receive the same for an order authorizing the interception of a wire, or electronic or oral communication by the investigative or law enforcement officers or agency having responsibility for an investigation when such interception may provide evidence of the commission of the offense of murder, kidnapping, gambling, robbery, bribery, a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:12-1, a violation of section 3 of P.L.1997, c.353 (C.2C:21-4.3), a violation of N.J.S.2C:21-19 punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, a violation of P.L.1994, c.121 (C.2C:21-23 et seq.), a violation of sections 1 through 5 of P.L.2002, c.26 (C.2C:38-1 through C.2C:38-5), a violation of N.J.S.2C:33-3, a violation of N.J.S.2C:17-2, a violation of sections 1 through 3 of P.L.1983, c.480 (C.2C:17-7 through 2C:17-9), a violation of N.J.S.2C:12-3 (terroristic threats), violations of N.J.S.2C:35-3, N.J.S.2C:35-4 and N.J.S.2C:35-5, violations of sections 112 through 116, inclusive, of the "Casino Control Act," P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-112 through 5:12-116), a violation of section 1 of P.L.2005, c.77 (C.2C:13-8) or P.L.2013, c.51 (C.52:17B-237 et al.) for human trafficking, a violation of paragraphs (2) through (7) of subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:34-1 [punishable by imprisonment] for [more than one year]  promoting prostitution or engaging in prostitution activities, arson, burglary, theft and related offenses punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to N.J.S.2C:24-4, escape, forgery and fraudulent practices punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, alteration of motor vehicle identification numbers, unlawful manufacture, purchase, use, or transfer of firearms, unlawful possession or use of destructive devices or explosives, weapons training for illegal activities pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1983, c.229 (C.2C:39-14), racketeering or a violation of subsection g. of N.J.S.2C:5-2, leader of organized crime, organized criminal activity directed toward the unlawful transportation, storage, disposal, discharge, release, abandonment or disposition of any harmful, hazardous, toxic, destructive, or polluting substance, or any conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing offenses or which may provide evidence aiding in the apprehension of the perpetrator or perpetrators of any of the foregoing offenses.

(cf: P.L.2013, c.51, s.14)

 

     2. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill would amend the "New Jersey Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act," P.L.1968, c.409 (C.2A:156A-1 et seq.), to authorize wiretapping and other forms of eavesdropping, as ordered by a court, for investigating all crimes involving human trafficking, many of which were recently enacted as part of the comprehensive "Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection, and Treatment Act," P.L.2013, c.51 (C.52:17B-237 et al.), as well as crimes for promoting prostitution or engaging in prostitution activities with a person under the age of 18.