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Bill

A 3294

Establishes a distinctive plate honoring Eagle Scouts

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Angelino and 10 co-sponsors

Protect tipster anonymity by encrypting anonymous tip lines, restricting data collection, and punishing disclosures; open records not allowed, with civil damages for breaches.

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
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Bill Summary · A 3294

Summary of New Jersey Assembly Bill A-3294 (as introduced)

Note: The materials provided for A-3294 include content that appears to address anonymous informants and tips rather than establishing a distinctive license plate for Eagle Scouts. The summary below reflects the introduced text contained in the version content you supplied. The title discrepancy should be verified against the official bill text.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill seeks to protect the anonymity of individuals who submit anonymous tips to law enforcement in criminal investigations.
  • It imposes requirements for encrypting tip communications, restricts what information about tipsters can be recorded or requested, and provides strong confidentiality protections, including civil and criminal consequences for disclosures.

Key provisions and changes

  • Encryption and confidentiality (Section 1a)

    • Any governmental entity (including law enforcement) or private entity operating or coordinating an anonymous tip line, system, or website must encrypt communications to prevent disclosure of:
    • The tipster’s identity
    • Information about the means of communication (e.g., phone number)
    • Exact location information beyond the municipality of the tip
    • Neither the tip line operator nor the investigating agency may request or obtain more detailed identity, means-of-communication information, or location data than what is provided with the tip, though individuals may voluntarily share additional details.

  • Public records and admissibility (Section 1b)

    • Communications and related reports maintained by the tip-line operator or law enforcement shall not be considered public records under New Jersey Open Public Records Act.
    • Such communications and information shall not be discoverable or admissible in any criminal or civil proceeding except upon:
    • A subpoena issued by a grand jury, or
    • A court order for matters involving specific types of offenses (e.g., false reports, false alarms) or offenses committed by the tipster.

  • Limitation on disclosures and exceptions (Section 1b(2))

    • The bill does not prohibit disclosure of the number of anonymous tips received.

  • Criminal and civil penalties (Section 1c)

    • Disclosing a tipster’s identity or related information, or attempting to obtain such information, with intent to disclose, constitutes a crime of the fourth degree (up to 18 months in prison, fines up to $10,000, or both).
    • If the disclosing individual is a government official acting under color of law, the governmental entity may be civilly liable to the tipster for damages arising from the disclosure or at least $25,000 (plus attorney’s fees and costs).

  • Effective date (Section 2)

    • The act would take effect on the first day of the fourth month after enactment.

Who would be affected

  • Governmental entities and private entities operating or coordinating anonymous tip systems for law enforcement.
  • Law enforcement agencies receiving, maintaining, or handling anonymous tip information.
  • Individuals submitting anonymous tips (tipsters), who would benefit from enhanced anonymity and confidentiality, but would face criminal penalties if an identity is disclosed.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024 (Assembly)
  • Status: Referred to Assembly committees; listed as referred to Transportation in later actions
  • Legislative actions:
    • 2024-01-09: Introduced in the Assembly, referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
    • 2025-01-27: Referred to Transportation (status shown in record)
  • Related bills and companions:
    • S-4234 (companion)
    • Additional related bills in prior sessions (A-7656, A-4335, A-4147; S-287)

Sponsors

  • Primary sponsor: Michael Durso
  • Co-sponsors include: Brian Manktelow, Jerett Gandolfo, Joe DeStefano, Josh Jensen, David McDonough, Andrea Bailey, Joe Angelino, Kenneth Blankenbush, Stephen Hawley, and others.

Observations and notes

  • The bill text provided focuses on protecting tipster anonymity, encryption, confidentiality, and civil/criminal penalties for disclosures.
  • There is a noted discrepancy between the stated bill title (establishes a distinctive plate honoring Eagle Scouts) and the content of the introduced version (anonymous tip safeguards). Verification against official bill files is recommended to confirm the intended subject of A-3294.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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