Bill Text: NJ S2281 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Extends statute of limitations in certain civil actions for sexual abuse; expands the categories of potentially liable defendants; and revives certain actions. *
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-05-13 - Senate Substitution (21-0) (Vitale) [S2281 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-S2281-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH F. VITALE
District 19 (Middlesex)
Senator NICHOLAS P. SCUTARI
District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Weinberg
SYNOPSIS
Extends statute of limitations in certain civil actions for sexual abuse; expands the categories of defendants who are potentially liable; codifies liability of public entities in these actions; and revives certain actions.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning certain civil actions alleging sexual abuse, amending various parts of the statutory law and supplementing Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.2A:14-2 is amended to read as follows:
2A:14-2. a. [Every] Except as provided in subsections b. and c. of this section, every action at law for an injury to the person caused by the wrongful act, neglect or default of any person within this State shall be commenced within two years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued[; except that an action by or on behalf of a minor that has accrued for medical malpractice for injuries sustained at birth shall be commenced prior to the minor's 13th birthday].
b. (1) An action by or on behalf of a minor that has accrued for medical malpractice for injuries sustained at birth shall be commenced prior to the minor's 13th birthday.
(2) In the event that an action by or on behalf of a minor that has accrued for medical malpractice for injuries sustained at birth is not commenced by the minor's parent or guardian prior to the minor's 12th birthday, the minor or a person 18 years of age or older designated by the minor to act on the minor's behalf may commence such an action. For this purpose, the minor or designated person may petition the court for the appointment of a guardian ad litem to act on the minor's behalf.
c. An action brought pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1992, c.109 (C.2A:61B-1), paragraph (1) of subsection c. of section 1 of P.L.1959, c.90 (C.2A:53A-7) or section 1 of P.L.2005, c.264 (C.2A:53A-7.4) shall be commenced within 30 years next after the cause of any such action shall have accrued; except the action by or on behalf of a minor shall be commenced within 30 years after the minor reaches the age of majority.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.17, s.3)
2. Section 1 of P.L.1959, c. 90 (C.2A:53A-7) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. No nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for religious, charitable or educational purposes or its trustees, directors, officers, employees, agents, servants or volunteers shall, except as is hereinafter set forth, be liable to respond in damages to any person who shall suffer damage from the negligence of any agent or servant of such corporation, society or association, where such person is a beneficiary, to whatever degree, of the works of such nonprofit corporation, society or association; provided, however, that such immunity from liability shall not extend to any person who shall suffer damage from the negligence of such corporation, society, or association or of its agents or servants where such person is one unconcerned in and unrelated to and outside of the benefactions of such corporation, society or association.
Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to grant immunity to any health care provider, in the practice of his profession, who is a compensated employee, agent or servant of any nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for religious, charitable or educational purposes.
b. No nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for hospital purposes or its trustees, directors, officers or volunteers shall, except as is hereinafter set forth, be liable to respond in damages to any person who shall suffer damage from the negligence of any agent or servant of such corporation, society or association, where such person is a beneficiary, to whatever degree, of the works of such nonprofit corporation, society or association; provided, however, that such immunity from liability shall not extend to any person who shall suffer damage from the negligence of such corporation, society, or association or of its agents or servants where such person is one unconcerned in and unrelated to and outside of the benefactions of such corporation, society or association; but nothing herein contained shall be deemed to exempt the agent , employee or servant individually from their liability for any such negligence.
c. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to grant immunity to: (1) (a) any trustee, director, officer, employee, agent, servant or volunteer of a nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for religious, charitable or educational purposes causing damage by a willful, wanton or grossly negligent act of commission or omission, including sexual assault [and] , any other [crimes] crime of a sexual nature or sexual abuse as defined in section 1 of P.L.1992, c.109 (C.2A:61B-1); or
(b) any trustee, director, officer, employee, agent, servant or volunteer of a nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for religious, charitable or educational purposes causing damage by an negligent act resulting in the commission of sexual assault, any other crime of a sexual nature or sexual abuse as defined in section 1 of P.L.1992, c.109 (C.2A:61B-1) if the trustee, director, officer, employee, agent, servant or volunteer had a supervisory or oversight role over the person committing the act of sexual assault, any other crime of a sexual nature or sexual abuse as defined in section 1 of P.L.1992, c. 109 (C.2A:61B-1); or
(c) any nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for religious, charitable or educational purposes causing damage by a willful, wanton or grossly negligent act of commission or omission, including sexual assault, any other crime of a sexual nature or sexual abuse as defined in section 1 of P.L.1992, c. 109 (C.2A:61B-1); or
(2) any trustee, director, officer, employee, agent, servant or volunteer causing damage as the result of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle; or (3) an independent contractor of a nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for religious, charitable, educational or hospital purposes.
(cf: P.L.1995, c.183, s.1)
3. Section 1 of P.L.1992, c. 109 (C.2A:61B-1) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. As used in this act:
(1) "Sexual abuse" means an act of sexual contact or sexual penetration between a child under the age of 18 years and an adult. A parent, resource family parent, guardian or other person [standing in loco parentis within the household] who knowingly permits or acquiesces in sexual abuse by any other person also commits sexual abuse, except that it is an affirmative defense if the parent, resource family parent, guardian or other person [standing in loco parentis] was subjected to, or placed in, reasonable fear of physical or sexual abuse by the other person so as to undermine the person's ability to protect the child.
(2) "Sexual contact" means an intentional touching by the victim or actor, either directly or through clothing, of the victim's or actor's intimate parts for the purpose of sexually arousing or sexually gratifying the actor. Sexual contact of the adult with himself must be in view of the victim whom the adult knows to be present.
(3) "Sexual penetration" means vaginal intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio or anal intercourse between persons or insertion of the hand, finger or object into the anus or vagina either by the adult or upon the adult's instruction.
(4) "Intimate parts" means the following body parts: sexual organs, genital area, anal area, inner thigh, groin, buttock or breast of a person.
(5) "Injury or illness" includes psychological injury or illness, whether or not accompanied by physical injury or illness.
b. In any civil action for damages for injury or illness based on sexual abuse, the cause of action [shall accrue at the time of reasonable discovery of the injury and its causal relationship to the act of sexual abuse. Any such action shall be brought within two years after reasonable discovery] shall be brought pursuant to subsection c. of N.J.S.2A:14-2.
c. Nothing in this act is intended to preclude the court from finding that the statute of limitations was tolled in a case because of the plaintiff's mental state, duress by the defendant, or any other equitable grounds. Such a finding shall be made after a plenary hearing. At the plenary hearing the court shall hear all credible evidence and the Rules of Evidence shall not apply, except for Rule 403 or a valid claim of privilege. The court may order an independent psychiatric evaluation of the plaintiff in order to assist in the determination as to whether the statute of limitations was tolled.
d. (1) Evidence of the victim's previous sexual conduct shall not be admitted nor reference made to it in the presence of a jury except as provided in this subsection. When the defendant seeks to admit such evidence for any purpose, the defendant must apply for an order of the court before the trial or preliminary hearing, except that the court may allow the motion to be made during trial if the court determines that the evidence is newly discovered and could not have been obtained earlier through the exercise of due diligence. After the application is made, the court shall conduct a hearing in camera to determine the admissibility of the evidence. If the court finds that evidence offered by the defendant regarding the sexual conduct of the victim is relevant and that the probative value of the evidence offered is not outweighed by its collateral nature or by the probability that its admission will create undue prejudice, confusion of the issues, or unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the victim, the court shall enter an order setting forth with specificity what evidence may be introduced and the nature of the questions which shall be permitted, and the reasons why the court finds that such evidence satisfies the standards contained in this section. The defendant may then offer evidence under the order of the court.
(2) In the absence of clear and convincing proof to the contrary, evidence of the victim's sexual conduct occurring more than one year before the date of the offense charged is presumed to be inadmissible under this section.
(3) Evidence of the victim's previous sexual conduct shall not be considered relevant unless it is material to proving that the source of semen, pregnancy or disease is a person other than the defendant. For the purposes of this subsection, "sexual conduct" shall mean any conduct or behavior relating to sexual activities of the victim, including but not limited to previous or subsequent experience of sexual penetration or sexual contact, use of contraceptives, living arrangement and life style.
e. (1) The court may, on motion and after conducting a hearing in camera, order the taking of the testimony of a victim on closed circuit television at the trial, out of the view of the jury, defendant, or spectators upon making findings as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) An order under this section may be made only if the court finds that the victim is 16 years of age or younger and that there is a substantial likelihood that the victim would suffer severe emotional or mental distress if required to testify in open court. The order shall be specific as to whether the victim will testify outside the presence of spectators, the defendant, the jury, or all of them and shall be based on specific findings relating to the impact of the presence of each.
(3) A motion seeking closed circuit testimony under paragraph (1) of this subsection may be filed by:
(a) The victim or the victim's attorney, parent or legal guardian;
(b) The defendant or the defendant's counsel; or
(c) The trial judge on the judge's own motion.
(4) The defendant's counsel shall be present at the taking of testimony in camera. If the defendant is not present, he and his attorney shall be able to confer privately with each other during the testimony by a separate audio system.
(5) If testimony is taken on closed circuit television pursuant to the provisions of this act, a stenographic recording of that testimony shall also be required. A typewritten transcript of that testimony shall be included in the record on appeal. The closed circuit testimony itself shall not constitute part of the record on appeal except on motion for good cause shown.
f. (1) The name, address, and identity of a victim or a defendant shall not appear on the complaint or any other public record as defined in P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.). In their place initials or a fictitious name shall appear.
(2) Any report, statement, photograph, court document, complaint or any other public record which states the name, address and identity of a victim shall be confidential and unavailable to the public.
(3) The information described in this subsection shall remain confidential and unavailable to the public unless the victim consents to the disclosure or if the court, after a hearing, determines that good cause exists for the disclosure. The hearing shall be held after notice has been made to the victim and to the defendant and the defendant's counsel.
(4) Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the court from imposing further restrictions with regard to the disclosure of the name, address, and identity of the victim when it deems it necessary to prevent trauma or stigma to the victim.
g. In accordance with R.5:3-2 of the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey, the court may, on its own or a party's motion, direct that any proceeding or portion of a proceeding involving a victim sixteen years of age or younger be conducted in camera.
h. A plaintiff who prevails in a civil action pursuant to this act shall be awarded damages in the amount of $10,000, plus reasonable attorney's fees, or actual damages, whichever is greater. Actual damages shall consist of compensatory and punitive damages and costs of suit, including reasonable attorney's fees. Compensatory damages may include, but are not limited to, damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, emotional trauma, diminished childhood, diminished enjoyment of life, costs of counseling, and lost wages.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.130, s.10)
4. (New section) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, including but not limited to the "New Jersey Tort Claims Act," N.J.S.59:1-1 et seq., a public entity is liable in an action for damages brought under the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1992, c.109 (C.2A:61B-1), paragraph (1) of subsection c. of section 1 of P.L.1959, c.90 (C.2A:53A-7) or section 1 of P.L.2005, c.264 (C.2A:53A-7.4).
5. (New section) The provisions of this amendatory and supplementary act, P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall be inapplicable to any civil action governed by the statute of limitations of another jurisdiction.
6. (New section) a. Notwithstanding the statute of limitations provisions of N.J.S.2A:14-2 or the applicability provisions of section 2 of P.L.2005, c.264 (C.2A:53A-7.5), a civil action brought pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1992, c. 109 (C.2A:61B-1), paragraph (1) of subsection c. of section 1 of P.L.1959, c. 90 (C.2A:53A-7) or section 1 of P.L.2005, c. 264 (C.2A:53A-7.4) which would otherwise be barred before the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) solely because the applicable statute of limitations has expired is revived and may be commenced within two years immediately following the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill).
b. On and after the first day immediately following expiration of the two-year period set forth in subsection a. of this section, and notwithstanding the statute of limitations provisions of N.J.S.2A:14-2 or the applicability provisions of section 2 of P.L.2005, c.264 (C.2A:53A-7.5), a civil action brought pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1992, c. 109 (C.2A:61B-1), paragraph (1) of subsection c. of section 1 of P.L.1959, c. 90 (C.2A:53A-7) or section 1 of P.L.2005, c. 264 (C.2A:53A-7.4) which would otherwise have been barred before the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill) solely because the applicable statute of limitations has expired is revived and may be commenced within 10 years from the time of reasonable discovery of the injury and its causal relationship to the act of sexual abuse.
c. Civil actions brought under subsection a. or b. of this section may be subject to the provisions of subparagraphs (a), (b), or (c) of paragraph (1) of subsection c. of section 1 of P.L.1959, c. 90 (C.2A:53A-7) as amended by P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
7. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date except as provided in section 6 of this act. This act shall also apply to actions filed with a court that have not yet been dismissed or finally adjudicated as of the effective date of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill would extend the statute of limitations in civil actions for sexual abuse, expand the categories of defendants who are potentially liable in these actions, and codify the liability of public entities in these actions. The bill would also revive certain actions for set period of times.
Statute of Limitations.
Currently, N.J.S.2A:14-2 provides that personal injury suits must be commenced within two years of accrual of the cause of action, except for certain medical malpractice actions on behalf of minors.
Under the bill, this two-year statute of limitations would be extended to 30 years for actions brought under P.L.1992, C.109, s.1 (C.2A:61 B-1) (sexual abuse of a child); paragraph (1) of subsection c. of P.L.1959, c.90, s.1 (C.2A:53A-7) (certain actions against a nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for religious, charitable or educational purposes); and P.L.2005, c.264,s.1 (C.2A:53A-7.4) (certain actions alleging negligent hiring, supervision or retention of an employee, agent or servant of these organizations).
The bill provides that a plaintiff who was under the age of majority at the time of the act would have 30 years after reaching the age of majority to bring suit. A plaintiff who was an adult at the time of the act would have 30 years after the cause of action accrues to bring suit.
Charitable Immunity Act: Gross Negligence by Trustees, Employees and Other Individuals
Under current law, the trustees, directors, officers, employees, agents, servants or volunteers of nonprofit corporations, societies or associations organized for religious, charitable, or educational purposes are liable for willful, wanton, or grossly negligent acts including sexual assault or other crimes of a sexual nature. The bill would expand this liability to include sexual abuse as defined in P.L.1992, c.109, s.1 (C.2A:61B-1).
(See amended subparagraph (a) of paragraph (1) of subsection c. of P.L. 1959, c.90, s.1 (C.2A:53A-7). Note that the provisions of this subparagraph may be applicable to actions brought under section 6 of the bill, which revives certain actions where the statute of limitation has expired.)
Charitable Immunity Act: Negligent Supervision by Trustees, Employees and Other Individuals
The bill would impose liability for individuals' negligence under certain circumstances. Under the bill, any trustee, director, officer, employee, agent servant or volunteer of a nonprofit corporation, society or association organized exclusively for religious, charitable or educational purposes causing damage by any negligent act resulting in the commission of sexual assault, any other crime of a sexual nature or sexual abuse as defined in section 1 of P.L.1992, c.109 (C.2A:61B-1) would be liable if that person had a supervisory or oversight role over the person committing the act.
(See new subparagraph (b) of paragraph (1) of subsection c. of P.L. 1959, c.90, s.1 (C.2A:53A-7). Note that the provisions of this subparagraph may be applicable to actions brought under section 6 of the bill, which revives certain actions where the statute of limitations has expired.)
Charitable Immunity Act: Gross Negligence by Organizations
The bill would impose liability on these nonprofit organizations for any willful, wanton, or grossly negligent act of commission or omission, including sexual assault, any other crime of a sexual nature or sexual abuse as defined in section 1 of P.L. 1992, c.109 (C.2A:61B-1)
(See new subparagraph (c) of paragraph (1) of subsection c. of P.L.1959, c.90, s.1 (C.2A:53A-7) Note that the provisions of this subparagraph may be applicable to actions brought under section 6 of the bill, which revives certain actions where the statute of limitations has expired.)
Child Sexual Abuse Act - Liability for Aquiescence
The bill would expand the category of persons who are potentially liable in any civil action alleging the sexual abuse of a child brought pursuant to P.L.1992, c.109, s.1 (C.2A:61B-1). Under current law, in addition to the person who committed the sexual abuse, a parent, resource family parent (i.e. foster parent), guardian or other person standing in loco parentis within the household who knowingly permitted or acquiesced in the sexual abuse is also civilly liable for the abuse. The bill provides that any person who knowingly permitted or acquiesced in the sexual abuse would be civilly liable.
Public Entities
The bill provides that, notwithstanding the provisions of the "New Jersey Tort Claims Act," N.J.S.59:1-1 et seq., or any other law, public entities would be liable in actions for damages alleging the sexual abuse of a child brought pursuant to P.L.1992, c.109, s.1 (C.2A:61B-1), paragraph (1) of subsection c. of P.L.1959, c.90, s.1 (C.2A:53A-7) or P.L.2005, c.264, s.1 (C.2A:53A-7.4).
Certain Time-Barred Actions
The bill provides for a two-year "window" for actions which would have otherwise been barred because of the expiration of the statute of limitations as of the effective date of this bill.
The bill would also provide that, under certain circumstances,
· after the expiration of the two-year window, a person may bring an action which would otherwise have been time-barred on or before the effective date of the bill. Such an action my be brought within 10 years from the time of reasonable discovery of the injury and its causal relationship to the act of sexual abuse.
Effective Date: This bill would take effect immediately and shall apply to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date except as provided in section 6 of this act. This bill shall also apply to actions filed with a court that have not yet been dismissed or finally adjudicated as of the effective date of this bill.
Actions where the statute of limitations expired before the effective date would be treated as follows:
· The bill would create a two-year "window" to revive actions where the statute of limitations has expired. These actions may be commenced within two years immediately following the effective date of the bill.
· Following the expiration of the two-year "window" period, actions where the statute of limitations has expired may be commenced within 10 years of the time of reasonable discovery of the injury and its causal relationship to the act of sexual abuse.
Persons bringing actions where the statute of limitations expired before the effective date would not be entitled to the new 30-year statute of limitations.
