Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would upgrade current law to better protect those with developmental disabilities from being victimized by the acts of others that are dangerous and potentially deadly gained Senate approval.

Sen. Robert Singer introduced the legislation after a 19-year-old autistic man was coerced into jumping into frigid Atlantic waters in February from a jetty in Manasquan by two men who videotaped and posted the incident to social media. (Flickr)

“Today’s unanimous Senate vote sends a clear message that bullying or taking advantage of anyone, especially those who are less able to protect themselves, is wrong and won’t be tolerated,” said Senator Singer. “These updates to current law will enhance protection for those with developmental disabilities and will make sure anyone committing these types of troubling acts is held accountable.”

Todays Senate vote marks important step in better protecting those w/ developmental disabilities http://t.co/bkTLT4g4y5

— Senator Bob Singer (@bobsingernj) July 23, 2015

S-2940, which is also sponsored Senate President Steve Sweeney would better define reckless endangerment laws and increase punishment and penalties for putting others at risk, with the strongest penalties for those whose victims have cognitive impairments. The measure was approved by the Senate with a unanimous vote of 34-0.

“This bill will help protect those with developmental disabilities from being victimized by acts of cruelty that can be harmful and even dangerous,” said Senator Sweeney. “Current law needs to be updated to protect the vulnerable and make the perpetrators responsible. The need for the new law came to our attention by an incident that could have easily been tragic. This should send a message that will help prevent these acts of cruel indifference from happening to others.”

The need for the new law was highlighted by an incident in Manasquan, where a 19-year-old autistic man with diabetes was coerced into jumping into the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean in February in exchange for $20 and two packs of cigarettes. The two men who enticed the victim videotaped the encounter and posted it to social media. The victim survived, but his insulin device froze and he was put at risk of hypothermia and drowning.

Current law is limited in its ability to prosecute those who knowingly endanger others or target them because of a mental disability. Senator Singer and Senator Sweeney rewrote the current endangerment statutes into one generalized law that includes gradations in punishment based on the injury to the victim or the status of the victim.

Under the bill, it would be a crime of the fourth degree to recklessly engage in conduct that creates a “substantial risk of bodily injury” to a person with a developmental disability, punishable by a prison term up to 18 months or a fine up to $10,000, or both; a crime of the third degree if the conduct creates a “substantial risk of serious bodily injury,” with potential prison term of three to five years, a fine up to $15,000, or both, and a second degree crime if it creates a “substantial risk of death,” subject to a term of five to ten years, a fine up to $150,000, or both.

Senator Singer and Senator Sweeney worked on the legislation with a number of advocacy groups, including Autism New Jersey, Disability Rights New Jersey, NJ ARC and the New Jersey Council of Developmental Disabilities.

“Autism New Jersey is grateful for Senator Singer and Senator Sweeney’s leadership, compassion, and desire for justice. If their legislation is enacted, it would criminalize activity that creates substantial risk for individuals with developmental disabilities and assess greater legal penalties for such action,” said Dr. Suzanne Buchanan, Executive Director of Autism New Jersey. “Individuals with autism would have new protections under the law and make New Jersey a safer place for everyone, especially our most vulnerable citizens.”

The bill defines “developmental disability” as a severe, chronic disability attributable to a mental or physical impairment that is manifest before age 22, is likely to continue indefinitely, results in the need for continued care and results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction and capacity for independent living or economic self-sufficiency.

The bill would also establish new criminal offenses when the victims are not developmentally disabled, with less severe penalties.