New Jersey now has "Right to Shovel" law
Just in time for the blizzard of 2016, New Jersey's "Right to Shovel" bill became law last week, paving the way for teens and others to clear driveways and sidewalks without having to apply for a solicitation permit that could cost a few hundred dollars.
Just in time for the blizzard of 2016, New Jersey's "Right to Shovel" bill became law last week, paving the way for teens and others to clear driveways and sidewalks without having to apply for a solicitation permit that could cost a few hundred dollars.
A year ago, as a storm threatened the area, two teens in Bound Brook, Somerset County, were stopped by police while going door-to-door handing out fliers to homeowners and offering to shovel in their neighborhoods. They were told a local ordinance required them to obtain 24 hours in advance a permit that could have cost them about $200, according to published reports.
After the matter made national headlines and led to criticism of New Jersey as a "nanny state," Sen. Michael Doherty (R., Warren) introduced a bill, saying he wanted to exempt teens from such ordinances. Police said at the time said that their concern was for the teens' safety, not the lack of a permit, and that a local travel ban was in effect.
Doherty said in a statement that he wanted to make sure "kids looking to earn a few bucks shoveling" were exempted from such ordinances. He dismissed such laws as ridiculous.
Dawn Higgins, his legislative aide, said Monday that government researchers discovered other towns in the state had similar ordinances and that these could prevent entrepreneurial teens from offering to help. She said they were being "lumped into the laws that regulate people selling magazines door-to-door and other solicitors." Though the bill was prompted by the Bound Brook teens, it applies to adults willing to shovel for a fee, she said.
Matt Molinari, 19, one of the Bound Brook teens and now a Rutgers University student, said last week that he was glad his experience led to the new law. He could not be reached for comment Monday.
The measure took a year to pass, and Gov. Christie signed it four days before the weekend's snowstorm.
Higgins said that it typically takes that long for a bill to pass unless it is fast-tracked to address an emergency. The bill passed the Senate and the Assembly overwhelmingly.
"Shoveling snow has been a time-honored activity for children when schools are closed, and it is not appropriate for municipal solicitation regulations to be interpreted so broadly as to prohibit children from offering to perform this necessary service within their communities," the new law states.
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