Kyrillos Bill Provides Protections for Active Duty Service Members

A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth/Middlesex) that would enhance the benefits and modernize the language of legislation that protects the rights of active duty service members, including the New Jersey National Guard, was approved by the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee today.

            “It’s imperative that the state offer certain protections for active duty military personnel regarding matters of property rights, court proceedings, employment and other issues,” said Kyrillos.  “This new legislation will help protect service members from mortgage foreclosures, lapsing life insurance policies, stays of judgment in civil proceedings, and other problems that can arise while they’re away in Iraq, Afghanistan or some other country serving our nation.”

            This amended bill repeals the ‘New Jersey Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act of 1979’ and replaces it with the ‘New Jersey Service Members Civil Relief Act of 2006.’  The legislation includes all the benefits and protections provided in the 1979 law but modernizes the language and includes gender specific language. 

            “We’ve heard from many service members who either don’t know their rights or who feel their rights have been violated,” added Kyrillos.  “It’s the least we can do for those who sacrifice so much to protect our way of life.”

            There is one increase in benefits that military personnel would receive from this bill.  A provision was inserted to reduce to six percent interest rates on an obligation or liability incurred by a person on active duty, which mirrors a section in a similar federal law.

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