New JerseyBoat owners and watercraft customers would receive life jacket guidance
New Jersey would put Coast Guard life jacket level guidance on boat number applications and in safety courses, and require personal watercraft businesses to give it to customers.
What it does
Owners of boats that must get a New Jersey vessel number would see life jacket level guidance on the application. They would confirm they read or received it.
Businesses selling or renting personal watercraft for use on New Jersey waters would give customers life jacket level guidance. Customers would confirm they read or received it.
Boat safety courses would teach when Coast Guard approved life jacket levels are required or recommended. Courses approved before the law takes effect could continue until their approval expires.
Argument forGuidance on required and recommended life jacket levels could help boat owners and watercraft customers choose one that fits their needs.
Argument againstGiving customers the information and collecting their acknowledgment could add a step to personal watercraft sales and rentals.
More detail
The Motor Vehicle Commission would put Coast Guard approved life jacket level information on vessel number applications. This applies to owners of vessels that must be numbered in New Jersey. The information must explain when each level is required and when it is recommended. Applicants must confirm they read or received the information. This requirement would begin on the first day of the seventh month after enactment.
Personal watercraft sellers and rental businesses would give customers information prepared by the State Police about Coast Guard approved life jacket levels. This covers personal watercraft sold or rented for use on New Jersey waters. The information must explain when each level is required and when it is recommended. Customers must confirm they read or received the information. Businesses would provide the information at the sale or rental, starting on the first day of the seventh month after enactment.
The State Police would require approved boat safety courses to teach Coast Guard approved life jacket levels. This covers approved classroom and online boat safety courses. Courses must explain when each level is required and when it is recommended. Courses approved before the law takes effect could continue until their approval expires. The requirement would begin on the first day of the seventh month after enactment.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 15Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd ReadingLatest
- Oct 15Transferred to Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts CommitteeMinor
- Mar 10Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness CommitteeIntroduced
Public SafetyTransportation