Includes Sikhs as protected class in bias intimidation law; appropriates $100,000.
This bill amends New Jersey's bias intimidation law to specifically include Sikhism as a protected class, making it illegal to commit hate crimes against Sikhs based on their religious identity. It appropriates $100,000 annually for three years to fund Sikh awareness educational initiatives, including law enforcement training on Sikh identity features like turbans and religious symbols to prevent misclassification of hate incidents. The bill requires the Office of Attorney General to develop public awareness campaigns and educational programs about Sikhism for public schools, and mandates that all public entities incorporate anti-Sikh hate into their bias intimidation policies and diversity programs. These changes directly affect Sikhs in New Jersey (who are the second-most targeted religious group for hate crimes) and all public institutions across the state.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jun 13, 2024
Last action Jun 13, 2024
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Jun 13, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
lower
3 primary · 40 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Carol Murphy
DDemocratic
P
Shanique Speight
DDemocratic
P
Sterley Stanley
DDemocratic
Co
Alixon Collazos-Gill
DDemocratic
Co
Andrea Katz
DDemocratic
Co
Avi Schnall
DDemocratic
Co
Barbara McCann Stamato
DDemocratic
Co
Bill Moen
DDemocratic
Co
Bill Spearman
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Tully
DDemocratic
Co
Claire Swift
RRepublican
Co
Cleopatra Tucker
DDemocratic
Co
Clinton Calabrese
DDemocratic
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