39:4-134.3 Use of "Next-of-Kin Registry."

2. a. When a motor vehicle accident results in the serious bodily injury, death, or incapacitation of a driver or any passenger, the law enforcement officer investigating the motor vehicle accident shall attempt to locate an emergency contact person by accessing the "Next-of-Kin Registry," established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2011, c.47 (C.39:4-134.2). The law enforcement officer shall, when practicable, expeditiously notify the emergency contact of each person involved in the motor vehicle accident and inform the emergency contact of the hospital or other location at which the driver or passenger may be receiving medical treatment.

b. No law enforcement officer or law enforcement employee shall be liable to any person for civil damages, or subject to criminal prosecution resulting from or caused by: (1) any disruption or failure in Internet service caused by any accident, malfunction, act of sabotage or God, or any other condition or circumstance that the commission has not, directly or indirectly, caused and which results in, or prevents, the holder of any New Jersey State validated permit, probationary or basic driver's license, or non-driver identification card from accessing, or inputting information into, the "Next-of-Kin Registry" or which results in, or prevents, the chief administrator and designated commission employees and law enforcement officers from accessing, establishing, or maintaining the "Next-of-Kin Registry"; (2) any misuse of, or the failure or omission to input accurate information, or the inputting of inaccurate or out-dated information into the "Next-of-Kin Registry" by any holder of any New Jersey State validated permit, probationary or basic driver's license, or non-driver identification card; or (3) the inability of any law enforcement officer to make contact, in good faith, with any designated emergency contact person. This limitation of liability is inapplicable if such failure resulted from a malicious purpose or a wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons or property.

L.2011, c.47, s.2.