Connors, Rumpf & Gove Introduce Expansive Veterans’ Initiative: The New Jersey Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 5, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — In concert with their continuing efforts on behalf of veterans, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have introduced legislation (S-2839) to update, modernize and bring in line with existing federal law the benefits and protections afforded to military servicemembers and their dependents.

The 9th District Delegation’s initiative, entitled the “New Jersey Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act,” would repeal and replace the New Jersey Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1979 to expand the definition of those who are protected under state law by reconciling differences between State and federal law.

“This legislative initiative would bring State law into line with the federal Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act in order to ensure that New Jersey servicemembers are afforded appropriate protection under State law,” said Senator Connors, who serves on the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Among those issues covered under the legislation are rental agreements, security deposits, prepaid rent, eviction, installment contracts, credit card interest rates and mortgage foreclosure.”

Connors, Rumpf and Gove were the authors of the recently enacted law that protects sevicemembers’ parental rights by prohibiting permanent changes in custody arrangements for deployed military personnel.

Brian Rumpf

“As more of our veterans return home, there is a better understanding of the complications these individuals encounter through no fault of their own,” said Assemblyman Rumpf. “Unquestionably, we have a serious obligation to provide legal protections to accommodate servicemembers who may be prevented from resolving matters, such as a violation of their rental agreement, due to the tremendous demands of military service that can include overseas deployment.”

DiAnne Gove

Assemblywoman Gove, who serves on the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, remarked, “Essentially, the legislation is intended to postpone or suspend, if necessary, certain civil obligations to relieve stress on servicemembers and their families. Given the serious nature of military service, servicemembers need to be able to devote their full attention to their military duties. Equally important, the legislation’s key provisions are intended to deter unscrupulous persons from tying to take advantage of servicemembers’ deployment as an opportunity to defraud servicemembers or deprive them of their rights.”

Additional protections provided under the Delegation’s legislation for servicemembers include:

· Protections against default judgments which cannot be properly defended by reason of military service;
· Relief from contracts that cannot be performed due to military service;
· A maximum six-percent rate of interest on debts incurred before military service;
· Protections against liens for storage, repair, and cleaning of property and effects;
· Protections regarding life insurance, professional liability insurance and health insurance;
· Reservation of land rights provided under federal law.