Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 11, 2026

A 2240: Requires law enforcement to notify State Parole Board when parolee violates domestic violence restraining order.

This bill requires New Jersey law enforcement to notify the State Parole Board when a parolee violates a domestic violence restraining order. It directly affects parolees under supervision who breach such orders, as well as law enforcement officers and the Parole Board. The key mechanism mandates officers to check the domestic violence central registry (which now includes parole status) and immediately alert the Parole Board if a parolee is charged with violating a domestic violence order. This ensures the Parole Board is informed to address potential violations of parole conditions. The bill amends existing statutes to streamline this notification process for safety and accountability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates law enforcement to notify Parole Board of parolee DVRO violations, enhancing accountability and victim protection within criminal justice supervision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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

A 4277: Reorganizes statues concerning assault and aggravated assault; adds provision concerning assault of court staff, prosecutors, and public defenders.

This bill (A4277) reorganizes New Jersey's assault and aggravated assault statutes and adds a new provision elevating simple assault against court staff, prosecutors, and public defenders to aggravated assault. It amends N.J.S.2C:12-1 to define such assaults as a higher-degree crime, resulting in increased penalties. The bill also extends this protection to other public servants, including law enforcement, firefighters, school personnel, and correctional staff, by listing them as designated protected groups. This change directly affects individuals who commit assaults on these protected groups and ensures they face more severe criminal charges.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting court staff/prosecutors, strengthening protections for criminal justice personnel within the system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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

A 1897: Establishes requirements for use of deadly force.

This bill restricts when New Jersey law enforcement officers may use deadly force. It removes previous justifications for using deadly force during arrests (such as for burglary, robbery, or kidnapping) or to prevent escapes from custody. Now, deadly force is only permitted if an officer reasonably believes there is an immediate threat of deadly force to themselves or another person. The change applies to all police officers and correctional staff making arrests or maintaining custody.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts police use of deadly force to immediate threats, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Violent Crime

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

A 4403: Requires access to law enforcement guidelines for processing firearms permit applications upon public records request.

This bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to make their guidelines for processing firearms permit applications available to the public through standard public records requests. It does this by amending the state's public records law to explicitly include these guidelines in the definition of "government records." As a result, anyone can request these documents, and agencies must provide them unless an exemption applies. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies, which must now disclose these guidelines, and the public, which gains greater transparency in how firearm permit applications are handled.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public access to firearm permit guidelines, enhancing law enforcement transparency and accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Tags Government Transparency

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

A 1787: Extends from six to 12 months compensation program for injured law enforcement officers and other employees; revises type of injury needed to qualify for program.

This bill (A 1787) extends the duration of wage replacement payments for specific public safety workers injured during official duties from six to 12 months. It directly affects correctional officers, parole officers, human services police, campus police, medical security officers, and civilian employees working with inmates, who suffer serious bodily injury from assaults by those under their supervision or custody. The bill requires employers to provide supplemental payments so injured workers receive their full net wage (combined with workers' compensation) for up to 12 months, while protecting existing fringe benefits. It amends existing law (P.L.2017, c.93) to update the timeframe and ensure continued income support during recovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill extends compensation for injured law enforcement and correctional officers, directly supporting personnel in the criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends wage replacement duration from 6 to 12 months for injured public safety workers, expanding benefits and strengthening worker compensation protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Probation & Parole

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3617: Authorizes State, county, and municipal law enforcement officers to access certain crime scenes and evidence.

This bill authorizes all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement officers to access crime scenes and evidence under their agency's jurisdiction. It prohibits anyone - including federal officers - from blocking officers from these locations, treating such obstruction as a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine. The law requires the Attorney General to issue implementation guidelines and takes effect four months after enactment. It directly affects law enforcement access to evidence during investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes law enforcement access to crime scenes and penalizes obstruction, directly strengthening operational effectiveness within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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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

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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

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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

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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

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