Upgrades assault against servicemember to aggravated assault; expands crime of bias intimidation to encompass crimes and offenses committed against servicemembers.

This New Jersey bill upgrades simple assault against a servicemember to aggravated assault and expands bias intimidation laws to cover crimes committed against servicemembers. It specifically defines "servicemember" as veterans or active members of the U.S. Armed Forces or New Jersey militia, adding them to the list of protected individuals under assault and bias intimidation statutes. As a result, assaulting a servicemember while in uniform or due to their status, or committing bias intimidation against them, will now be treated as a more serious offense with higher penalties. The bill directly affects servicemembers in New Jersey by strengthening legal protections against attacks on their person.