COHEN BILL PROTECTING RESIDENTS WHO REPORT SUSPICIOUS, TERRORISTIC ACTIVITIES CLEARS COMMITTEE

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee today released legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Neil M. Cohen that would protect members of the public from civil lawsuits resulting from a good faith report of suspected terrorist activities.

"If constant vigilance is truly going to be the mantra of our society, then we must provide adequate protections under the law to pursue it," said Cohen (D-Union), the prime sponsor of New Jersey's anti-terrorism law, which has become a national model for homeland security legislation in other states.  "Residents must not be afraid to come forward with information for fear of legal ramifications if the information turns out to be wrong."

Cohen's measure (A-2370) would grant immunity from civil liability to any individual who makes a good faith report of terrorist activity or terroristic threats to a member of law enforcement, regardless of whether the tipster gives the information anonymously.

According to Cohen, these protections are necessary to prevent retaliatory lawsuits from erroneously accused individuals and to continue to encourage people to come forward whenever they spot suspicious activity.

"Complacency and fear are the greatest weapons in a terrorist's arsenal," said Cohen.  "We don't ever want to be standing at the site of another terrorist attack, wondering if we did everything we could to prevent it.  To continue encouraging a mentality of good faith self-policing among the public, we must put in place adequate protections against legal retribution."

The committee released the measure by a vote of 6 to 0.  It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

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