Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4203: Requires Director of Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in DHS to evaluate and report on interactions occurring between law enforcement and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

This bill requires New Jersey's Director of the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (in the Department of Human Services) to evaluate law enforcement interactions with deaf and hard of hearing individuals within six months of enactment. The evaluation must cover communication protocols, officer training in sign language and de-escalation, interpreter availability, treatment in custody, and complaint resolution processes. The Director must then produce a report with findings and recommendations for improving these interactions, distributing it to the Governor, Legislature, and all law enforcement agencies. The bill expires 30 days after the report is published online.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates evaluation of law enforcement interactions with deaf/hard of hearing individuals to improve communication protocols, training, and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1707: Requires online portal to report law enforcement officer misconduct; establishes duty to report by law enforcement officers.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an online portal for law enforcement officers to report misconduct by other officers. Officers must report within 72 hours if they witness excessive force, civil rights violations, or criminal offenses committed by colleagues. The portal also allows anonymous reporting, generating random identifiers instead of personal details for those who choose to remain anonymous. It directly affects all law enforcement officers in the state who observe misconduct requiring disclosure under the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires mandatory reporting of officer misconduct via online portal, enhancing police accountability and transparency in law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2087: Requires law enforcement officer to conduct danger assessment of domestic violence victims and provide assistance to high-risk victims.

This bill requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to conduct a standardized danger assessment for individuals they reasonably believe are victims of domestic violence. The assessment, using a tool approved by the Attorney General, evaluates risk factors like recent violence, injuries, and weapon use to determine if a victim faces elevated risk of serious harm. If the assessment indicates high risk, officers must inform the victim and, with consent, connect them to crisis services or domestic violence support. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims, law enforcement officers, and service providers, focusing on immediate risk identification and assistance. It does not alter existing legal definitions or penalties but mandates specific protocols for officer response.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires standardized danger assessments and victim referrals for domestic violence, enhancing police response protocols and victim protection - aligns with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1367: Concerns diversion from criminal prosecution for persons with mental illness under certain circumstances.

This bill requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to complete mental health crisis training (CIT-NJ) and establishes a process to redirect people experiencing mental health crises away from criminal prosecution. Officers may divert individuals to mental health screening services instead of filing charges for non-violent incidents, with a presumption against criminal complaints when treatment is available. It mandates county-level coordination between law enforcement, courts, and mental health providers to identify resources for timely diversion. The law applies to all uniformed patrol officers and affects individuals with mental illness who might otherwise face criminal charges for non-violent behavior.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects mental health crisis cases from prosecution to treatment, reducing criminalization and promoting rehabilitation per bill's diversion mandate.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects mental health crisis cases to treatment instead of prosecution, strengthening mental health service access and coordination per bill's diversion mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health Public Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1773: Authorizes funding to protect safety of cooperating witnesses; expands Crime Victim's Bill of Rights to provide these witnesses with certain guarantees.

This bill expands protections for cooperating witnesses in New Jersey by authorizing state funding for their safety and relocation. It amends existing law to include cooperating witnesses (those testifying for prosecutors or working with law enforcement, including confidential informants) under the Crime Victim's Bill of Rights, guaranteeing them protection from harm and access to safety-related services. The bill specifically directs the Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund to cover relocation expenses for witnesses and their household members, plus safety costs like crisis response, counseling, and emergency services. These changes directly affect witnesses who cooperate with prosecutions and their families, ensuring they receive concrete support to safely participate in criminal justice proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes funding for witness safety and expands Crime Victim's Bill of Rights to include cooperating witnesses, strengthening protections within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4428: Creates crime of political violence; establishes independent review board and training requirement for law enforcement.

This New Jersey bill (A4428) creates a new criminal offense called "political violence," defined as committing violent acts (such as assault, kidnapping, or terrorism) specifically to interfere with or retaliate against someone because of their political affiliation (e.g., party membership) or political expression (e.g., attending protests, donating to campaigns). It increases penalties for these offenses, requiring separate sentencing for both the underlying violent crime and the political violence charge. The bill also establishes an independent "Political Violence Review Board" to collect and analyze data on complaints, identifying potential disparities in how cases are handled based on race, gender, or political affiliation. This directly affects law enforcement, prosecutors, and individuals targeted for political reasons, while requiring oversight of how such cases are investigated and prosecuted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates independent review board and training for law enforcement, enhancing accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Sentencing Violent Crime

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2165: Requires specialized in-service training regarding crime victims for police departments in certain high-crime areas.

This bill requires police departments in New Jersey's six highest-crime urban municipalities (determined by the latest Uniform Crime Report) to ensure a reasonable percentage of officers complete mandatory in-service training on crime victims' specialized needs and available support services. The Attorney General will determine the required percentage and verify that departments meet this goal, while the Division of Criminal Justice will assist departments in implementing the training. The training focuses on victim rights, law enforcement's role in victim assistance, and local resources - building on existing but non-mandatory training requirements. It applies specifically to officers in these six high-crime areas, not statewide.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates victim-centered training for officers in high-crime areas, enhancing police accountability and victim support within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1706: Prohibits issuance and execution of "no-knock" warrant to be executed at residences.

This New Jersey bill (A 1706) requires law enforcement officers to knock and announce their identity and purpose before entering a residence for an arrest or search. It prohibits "no-knock" warrants at homes, mandating officers wait at least 30 seconds after announcing before entering - unless immediate danger exists. The law applies to all arrest and search warrants executed at residential properties and updates existing statutes to include these entry requirements. It directly affects police procedures when conducting home entries, aiming to increase transparency and safety for residents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits no-knock warrants, requiring officers to announce and wait 30 seconds before entry, enhancing police accountability and protecting residential privacy per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

ACR 109: Expresses support for US and NJ law enforcement officers; urges all levels of government to take action to increase support, safety, and well-being of law enforcement officers.

ACR 109 is a symbolic resolution passed by the New Jersey legislature expressing support for U.S. and New Jersey law enforcement officers. It urges all levels of government to take action to improve officer safety and well-being through concrete steps like increasing staffing, enhancing equipment and training, strengthening penalties for assaults on officers, and expanding mental health resources. The resolution directly affects law enforcement officers nationwide by calling for systemic support measures, though it does not create new laws or funding. It was introduced in January 2026 and referred to the Assembly Public Safety Committee, reflecting bipartisan concern over rising officer assaults and mental health challenges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly urges concrete actions to improve law enforcement officer safety and well-being, directly supporting law enforcement within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2765: Requires certain law enforcement officers to complete human trafficking training.

This bill (A 2765) requires specific groups to complete human trafficking training as a condition of employment or licensing. Law enforcement officers responding to domestic violence or sexual assault cases must complete training developed by the Police Training Commission. Hotels/motels must provide one-time training to owners, operators, and staff (linked to license maintenance), while healthcare facility employees must complete similar training (tied to facility licensing). Judges and court staff must also complete awareness training on human trafficking impacts and victim rights. The bill mandates these trainings be reviewed every two years.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates human trafficking training for law enforcement officers handling domestic violence/sexual assault cases, enhancing victim response and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

Track