S 3706 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Establishes presumption of knowledge that display of noose or Nazi or Confederate symbol would cause bias intimidation; enhances penalties.

New Jersey's S 3706 creates a legal presumption that displaying a noose, Nazi symbol, or Confederate symbol during a crime means the perpetrator knew it would intimidate someone based on their race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or ethnicity. It applies to defendants who use these specific symbols in connection with other offenses like assault or vandalism. The bill establishes that such displays automatically count as an aggravating factor under bias intimidation law, making it easier for courts to impose harsher penalties. This targets symbols with documented histories of causing racial fear and violence, including nooses (evoking lynchings) and Confederate symbols (evoking slavery and segregation).
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 2, 2026 Last action Mar 2, 2026
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Mar 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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Legislator
Party
State
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P
Photo of Britnee Timberlake
Britnee Timberlake
DDemocratic
NJ
34