TRENTON, NJ – As if things couldn’t get any worse after Trenton Republicans, led by shore Assemblyman Gregory P. McGuckin wanted to fine COVID-19 violators up to $15,000 per offense, a new bill is coming out of Trenton from the Democrats that would put people in jail for not wearing facemasks in stores and public buildings. According to New Jersey Assemblyman Ralph R. Caputo, an Essex County Democrat, the bill makes the failure to wear a mask upon entry into a store with posted signage trespass offense during period of public emergency declared by Governor in Executive Order 103 of 2020.
Caputo’s law will make not wearing a mask a petty disorderly persons offense punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment, a fine of up to $500, or both.
“This bill provides that during the public health emergency and state of emergency declared by the Governor in Executive Order 103 of 2020, a person commits a petty disorderly persons offense if, knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in a store or mercantile retail establishment as to which notice against trespass is given by signage that is visible and unobstructed which requires that any person entering the premises of a store or retail mercantile establishment must be wearing a mask is posted and a person does not wear a mask,” Caputo said.
“During the public health emergency and state of emergency declared by the Governor in Executive Order 103 of 2020, a person commits a petty disorderly persons offense if, knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in a store or mercantile retail establishment as to which notice against trespass is given by signage posted that is visible and unobstructed which requires that any person entering the premises of a store or retail mercantile establishment must be wearing a mask and a person does not wear a mask,” the bill reads.