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A 5629

Establishes who qualifies as an authorized agent of a voter

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Maritza Davila and 4 co-sponsors

Expands VCCO compensation to include motor vehicle crash victims and establishes a Traffic Crash Victim’s Bill of Rights detailing rights and protections for victims and families.

REFERRED TO ELECTION LAW
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 5629

Summary of Assembly Bill A 5629 (2025)

Note: The bill’s introduced content appears to address victims of crime and traffic crash rights, rather than the titled concept of “Establishes who qualifies as an authorized agent of a voter.” The text provided for A 5629 expands the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) scope to include certain motor-vehicle crash victims and creates a Traffic Crash Victim’s Bill of Rights. The summary below reflects the introduced content.

Overview

  • Bill Number: A 5629
  • Title (as introduced): Accompanying text indicates changes relating to victims of crime and traffic crash rights; the title in the record may not align with the substantive provisions.
  • Purpose: Expand eligibility for compensation to motor vehicle crash victims under the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) and establish a Traffic Crash Victim’s Bill of Rights detailing rights and protections for crash victims and their families.
  • Status: Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee; also initially referred to Election Law (administrative referrals show legislative routing).
  • Introduced: May 8, 2025
  • Sponsors: Primary - Jo Anne Simon; Cosponsors - MaryJane Shimsky, Maritza Davila, Rebecca Seawright, Jen Lunsford
  • Related bills: S 4342 (companion); A 10372 (prior-session)

What the bill would do

  • Expands VCCO compensation eligibility to include injuries or deaths resulting from a motor vehicle crash where:
    • the crash involves a fatality, or
    • a victim is removed from the crash scene by an ambulance.
  • Establishes a Traffic Crash Victim’s Bill of Rights, outlining six specific rights for crash victims and their families.

Key Provisions

Section 11 Amended (C.52:4B-11)

  • Broadens the circumstances under which Victims of Crime Compensation Office may order compensation for personal injury or death to include:
    • A motor vehicle crash where a fatality occurs or where a victim is removed from the scene by an ambulance.
    • The amendment lists a wide range of offenses and scenarios associated with qualifying crimes (existing long list includes murder, kidnapping, aggravated assaults, human trafficking, burglary, etc.), ensuring that compensation could be paid in related or underlying crime contexts.
  • The section continues to specify other qualifying conditions tied to violent crimes and related offenses.

New Section 2: Traffic Crash Victim’s Bill of Rights

  • a) Access to information: Victims may obtain free, timely copies of initial police reports and, after completion, investigation reports, evidence, and related materials (including scene photos, postmortem photos, body-worn camera footage, vehicle-recordings, and summonses). Open Public Records Act protections do not limit these rights.
  • b) Court proceedings: Victims have the right to be notified of court proceedings and to provide an impact statement in related adjudicatory matters (including driver license suspension/revocation hearings for the other driver).
  • c) Leave for hearings: Victims may receive reasonable leave from work to participate in Motor Vehicle Commission hearings or other rights-related proceedings.
  • d) Protection from intimidation: Victims have the right to be free from intimidation, threats, or harassment by the other driver.
  • e) Financial assistance: Victims are eligible to receive compensation and assistance under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1971.
  • f) Information access: Victims may request copies of this bill’s provisions and related information from law enforcement and the VCCO about the rights outlined in the bill.

Section 3

  • Effective date: The act would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Who would be affected

  • Motor vehicle crash victims and their families, including victims of fatal crashes and those removed from crash scenes by ambulances.
  • Victims seeking compensation from VCCO for crash-related injuries or deaths.
  • Individuals involved in motor vehicle crashes who interact with law enforcement, the Motor Vehicle Commission, and related agencies.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced in the Assembly on May 8, 2025.
  • Referred to the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee.
  • Earlier referrals show the bill also moving through Election Law committees, reflecting standard legislative routing.

Impact and considerations

  • Access to compensation could broaden financial support for crash victims beyond existing crime-based eligibility.
  • The Traffic Crash Victim’s Bill of Rights creates standardized protections and procedural rights, potentially affecting agency processes (police, MV Commission, courts) and employers.
  • Immediate effective date means provisions would be in force upon enactment, expediting implementation if passed.

Related and companion legislation

  • Companion: S 4342
  • Prior-session related: A 10372

Overall, A 5629 seeks to recognize traffic crash victims as eligible for VCCO compensation and to codify a new set of rights designed to streamline access to information, participation in related proceedings, and protections for those affected by motor vehicle crashes.

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

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