TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie today vetoed a bill requiring the attorney general to launch a 6-month review of the controversial Kyleigh’s Law, which requires new drivers to display red decals on their license plates. He said the bill would just duplicate other efforts already underway by his administration to address concerns with the law. Opponents of Kyleigh's Law...
Gov. Christie vetoed a bill that would direct the Attorney General to conduct a review of Kyleigh's Law, which requires teen drivers to display a red decal on their license plates. TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie today vetoed a bill requiring the attorney general to launch a 6-month review of the controversial Kyleigh’s Law, which requires new drivers to display red decals on their license plates.
He said the bill would just duplicate other efforts already underway by his administration to address concerns with the law.
Opponents of Kyleigh's Law said the red decals allow police to target young drivers, as well as make them vulnerable to criminals and sexual predators.
“In the light of these concerns, I have directed Attorney General Paula Dow to immediately conduct a survey and report to me within six months on any instances where decals have been alleged to have been involved in the commission of crimes or targeting of individuals," Christie said in a statement. “We must take potentially unintended consequences of the law seriously and make any necessary changes based on hard facts and evidence."
Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle (D-Bergen), the vetoed bill's sponsor, criticized the governor's decision, saying it "makes no sense."
“The law already requires the attorney general to review the graduated driver’s license changes, but we were seeking an earlier answer to help respond to concerns by New Jersey parents and teenagers," she said in a statement.
“Yet with this veto, the governor has rejected a six-month study, just so he can order another six-month study anyway."
Previous coverage:
• N.J. parents, teens protest against Kyleigh's Law at Morris County lawmakers' offices
• Rally promoted on Facebook against Kyleigh's Law to be held at Morris County lawmakers' office
• N.J. teens refuse to use red decal stickers required by Kyleigh's Law
• N.J. legislators plan to introduce a bill rescinding Kyleigh's Law decal requirement