Parents could be fined or face jail if their kid is involved in a public brawl, under proposed bill

State lawmakers are considering fining or putting parents in jail if their children are involved in a public brawl in New Jersey.

The proposed law, A4651, could fine parents up to $1,000 and jail them for six months for neglectful supervision. It passed the state Assembly with bipartisan support at the end of June, but also encountered resistance, as some lawmakers had questions about enforcement and who should be held accountable.

The bill comes in the wake of a string of high-profile brawls in the Jersey Shore area in recent months. A measure also passed earlier this year that levies penalties for inciting a public brawl in the state.

Under the bill, a parent or legal guardian of a juvenile would face a fine or a petty disorderly persons violation if their child has been found guilty of property destruction inciting a public brawl. The parent would face a $1,000 fine for their child’s behavior that results in property damage. But penalties could involve jail time for parents whose child incited violence – $500 for the first petty offense involving a brawl, $2,000 for future offenses, up to 30-days in jail, or both.

The reach of the legislation, however, concerns some legislators.

“I’m not sure how you make a parent responsible for the criminal acts of a child unless the parent had knowledge or had some furtherance of that criminal act,” said Assemblyman Erik Peterson, R-Hunterdon.

Peterson also said there were legal concerns about which parent would or should be fined or found responsible.

Assemblyman Christian Barranco, R-Morris, said the bill was an overreach by the government.

“This is going to apply to every single neighborhood in our state,” he said. “Are we going to go after every parent whose kid gets into a fight? Let’s think about what we’re doing,” he said.

Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, R-Sussex, said the bill should take a more collaborative and less punitive approach with parents.

“Why aren’t we mandating the parents maybe participate in counseling with their child? Why aren’t we requiring a parent to attend court hearings [and] do community service with their child? We are straight up sending a parent to jail for six months if their child gets into a fight,” she said. “That is the most ridiculous thing where the punishment does not fit the crime at all. I don’t think we should be scapegoating parents.”

Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, D-Camden, supported the measure.

“This helps awaken parents to what may be going on that they are not aware of,” he said.

Greenwald also claimed that the bill would help booster tourism.

“I don’t represent a shore community, but I’ve worked with my friends on multiple issues that are impacting the shore community and this does affect tourism,” he said. “We do know people that are looking at rental properties down the shore that aren’t going Memorial Day weekend because that’s a hot button weekend.”

The bill passed 61-15 in the Assembly. The Senate has yet to take a vote. Legislators are currently on summer break and don’t traditionally return until November.

In November, the law would have to pass the Senate quickly, if it is to go to Gov. Phil Murphy, before a new governor takes office.

Jelani Gibson may be reached at jgibson@njadvancemedia.com.