Acting Governor Nicholas Scutari signed into law S-3374, which concerns fees charged for certain towing and storage of motor vehicles and amends the Predatory Towing Prevention Act.
The new law amends N.J.S.A. 56:13-16 to require towing companies to charge reasonable fees based on a fee scheduled established by municipality, charge for towing authorized by law enforcement and related storage services be paid by the vehicle owner prior to the towing company releasing the vehicle. If the vehicle owner defaults on payment the lessor or lienholder is responsible for the fees.
In addition, the towing company must notify the owner, lessor and lienholder that a vehicle has been subject to non-consensual towing, authorized by law enforcement within 30 days of the vehicle being towed and associated fees. If a towing company fails to provide such notification the towing company may charge a maximum storage fee of $750 and is responsible for additional towing or related storage services.
P.L. 2023, c. 132 took effect on August 7, 2023, and is retroactive to October 18, 2008.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.