N.J. Stat. § 44:1-156

A master or commander of a ship or vessel arriving as referred to in section 44:1-155 of this title, who shall land or suffer to be landed from on board his ship or vessel any passenger or employee who is sick, infirm or otherwise incapable of providing for his own support and by reason thereof is likely to become a public charge of the municipality, except by permit from the overseer of the poor of the municipality in which the poor person is found or brought, without having notified the overseer of the poor immediately upon the arrival of the passenger or employee and without having entered into the bond referred to in said section 44:1-155, shall be liable for the expense of the relief and care of the poor person, which expense may be recovered from time to time with costs of suit by the overseer incurring it, in an action at law in any court of competent jurisdiction in the county in which the poor person may be.