New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey A5545: Wrongful death action-prov cert addl damages be awarded, cert decendent
Status: In committee, September 24, 2026
Provides for certain additional damages to be awarded in wrongful death action if decedent was below age of majority at time of death.
What the bill says
An Act concerning damages awarded in wrongful death actions and amending N.J.S.2A:31-5.
From the introduced text, September 24, 2026:
An Act concerning damages awarded in wrongful death actions and amending N.J.S.2A:31-5. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. N.J.S.2A:31-5 is amended to read as follows: 2A:31-5. Assessment of damages by jury. [ADDED: a.] In every action brought under the provisions of this chapter the jury may [give] [ADDED: award] such damages as they shall deem fair and just with reference to the pecuniary injuries resulting from such death, together with the hospital, medical [ADDED: ,] and funeral expenses incurred for the [deceased] [ADDED: decedent] , to the persons entitled to any intestate personal property of the decedent in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.2A:31-4. [ADDED: b. If the decedent was below the age of majority, as defined by section 3 of P.L.1972, c.81 (C.9:17B-3), at the time of the decedents death, in addition to any damages awarded pursuant to section a. of this section, a jury may award to those persons, entitled to the intestate personal property of the decedent pursuant to section b. of N.J.S.3B:5-4, such damages as the jury shall deem fair and just with reference to:] [ADDED: (1) Emotional distress, grief, and loss of enjoyment of life;] [ADDED: (2) Non-pecuniary value of the loss of guidance, advice, and companionship provided by the decedent; and] [ADDED: (3) Costs …
Sponsors
- Kenyatta Stewart (D, 35) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : INT 1RA REF AJU
Subjects: JUDICIARY
Common questions
- What is A5545?
- A5545 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Wrongful death action-prov cert addl damages be awarded, cert decendent.
- What does A5545 do?
- In its own words: An Act concerning damages awarded in wrongful death actions and amending N.J.S.2A:31-5.
- What is the status of A5545?
- In committee as of September 24, 2026. Latest action: INT 1RA REF AJU (September 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored A5545?
- Kenyatta Stewart (D, 35).
- Where is the official record for A5545?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A5545
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.