A 4394 New Jersey General Assembly · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Clarifies that certain beach owners and lessees have no duty to keep beach safe or to warn of hazards; provides immunity from liability, in certain cases, for injuries occurring on beach or in adjacent waters.

This bill clarifies that private beach owners and lessees who allow public access for recreation have no legal duty to maintain beach safety or post hazard warnings. It grants immunity from liability for injuries occurring on unguarded beach areas - defined as portions without an on-site lifeguard monitoring visitors - regardless of whether warnings were provided. Exceptions to this immunity apply only in cases of willful/malicious failure to address known dangers, negligence when access was paid for (not by the state), or gross negligence during non-public-use activities. The law specifically affects privately owned beaches open to the public for sport and recreational purposes, aligning with existing liability standards for similar land types under New Jersey law.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced May 16, 2024 Last action May 16, 2024
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May 16, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Paul Kanitra
Paul Kanitra
RRepublican
NJ
10