S 4870 New Jersey Senate · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Establishes new mitigating factor, reduced sentencing, and resentencing for certain defendants who are victims of abuse.

This bill establishes a new sentencing consideration for defendants who were victims of domestic violence or abuse when they committed a crime, and that abuse was a contributing factor to their offense. It allows courts to reduce sentences for qualifying defendants: up to 18 months for third-degree crimes, 3-5 years for second-degree, and 5-10 years for first-degree offenses. The bill also creates a resentencing process for defendants convicted before the law took effect who meet the criteria, requiring courts to consider evidence like domestic violence reports, social services records, and professional testimony. To qualify, defendants must have been victims of abuse that contributed to their crime, be incarcerated with no pending appeals, and not have previously sought this relief. The bill requires correctional facilities to notify eligible inmates about this resentencing opportunity and mandates judicial training on implementing the new provisions.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
General Assembly Passage
Jan 2026
Governor
Introduced Nov 13, 2025 Last action Jan 12, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Jan 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (Passed Both Houses) (70-1-1)
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (28-10)
upper
Jan 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
upper
Jan 6, 2026
Committee
Transferred to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Dec 15, 2025
Committee
Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
upper
Dec 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
upper
Nov 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
5 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors