Criminal Justice in New Jersey

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

A 3351: Prohibits sex offenders from holding any job, position, or type of employment that primarily consists of contact with children.

This bill prohibits sex offenders assessed as moderate or high risk of re-offending from working in any job where 80% or more of their duties involve contact with children. It directly affects individuals convicted of certain sex offenses under New Jersey's Megan's Law who have been risk-assessed as moderate or high. The law makes it a third-degree crime (carrying up to 5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine) for such offenders to accept, contract for, or serve in these roles. The prohibition excludes offenders under 18 working in rehabilitative programs for juvenile sex offenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice

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

A 1643: Requires employers to report certain allegations of sexual assault.

This bill requires employers in New Jersey to report alleged sexual assaults involving consumers or employees to local law enforcement or county prosecutors within 24 hours. Employers who fail to report face a $10,000 civil penalty. The law also mandates that county prosecutors appoint a Sexual Assault Response Team advocate to inform victims about available services - including medical care, counseling, and legal options - during the employer’s investigation. It directly affects all employers (including corporations, partnerships, and supervisors) and ensures victims receive support while clarifying that employers may still conduct internal investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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

A 4191: Establishes third degree crime for certain trespasses involving victim of domestic violence.

This bill (A4191) raises the criminal penalty for trespassing into a domestic violence victim's home when a restraining order is in place. It makes such trespass a third-degree crime (carrying 3-5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine) if the person enters intending to cause injury or commit a crime. The law creates a rebuttable presumption of intent to harm if the perpetrator has a restraining order against them or has been charged in a domestic violence case. This directly affects domestic violence victims protected by court orders and perpetrators violating those orders. The key change is elevating the offense level and removing the presumption against incarceration for these specific violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

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

A 4351: Provides for restricted use driver's license as alternatives for license suspension in municipal court.

This bill allows individuals with suspended or revoked driver's licenses to apply to municipal courts for a restricted use license, primarily for employment or education travel. Courts must consider financial hardship and the risk of repeat offenses before approving, but those suspended for certain offenses (like DUI) are excluded. Approved licensees would receive a color-coded license and placard displayed on vehicles, permitting driving only between home, work, or school during specific hours, with a $100 fee max. The license expires when the regular license is restored after suspension ends.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Courts

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 25, 2026

A 4071: Codifies AG directive, "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities."

This bill codifies New Jersey's Attorney General's "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities" directive into law. It directly affects all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officers by prohibiting them from: (1) stopping or detaining people based solely on immigration status, (2) asking about immigration status except during specific criminal investigations, and (3) sharing personal information with federal immigration authorities for immigration enforcement purposes. The law clarifies that officers' primary duty is enforcing state criminal laws, not federal immigration law, and emphasizes that this does not prevent enforcing state criminal laws. The goal is to build trust in immigrant communities and ensure law enforcement resources focus on public safety rather than immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 2873: Upgrades penalty for assault on law enforcement to second degree crime under certain circumstances.

This bill would upgrade assaults against certain public safety and emergency personnel to a second-degree crime, increasing penalties. It directly affects anyone who assaults law enforcement officers, firefighters, school staff, healthcare workers (including at psychiatric facilities), utility workers, or emergency medical personnel while they are clearly performing their duties. Key provisions include elevating simple assault to a more serious charge when targeting these groups, and adding specific scenarios like assaulting utility workers during service repairs. The legislation aims to strengthen legal consequences for attacks on these critical workers. (Note: Bill is currently in committee review as of January 2026.)

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3444: Requires employers to report certain allegations of sexual assault.

This bill requires New Jersey employers to report certain sexual assault allegations to local law enforcement or county prosecutors within 24 hours of receiving a report from a consumer or employee about an assault involving another consumer or employee. Employers who fail to report face a $10,000 civil penalty. If a county prosecutor receives such a report, they must appoint a victim advocate (via the Sexual Assault Response Team) upon the accuser's request to provide information about medical, legal, and counseling services during the employer's investigation. The law applies to all employers in New Jersey, including those managing employee or consumer interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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

A 4215: Upgrades offense of prostitution as patron; directs fines collected to "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund."

This bill upgrades penalties for repeat offenses of buying sex (prostitution as a patron) in New Jersey. A first offense remains a disorderly persons offense, but a second or third offense becomes a fourth-degree crime, and a fourth or subsequent offense becomes a third-degree crime. The bill also requires that fines collected from these offenses be directed to the "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund" to support survivors of human trafficking. It applies specifically to individuals who repeatedly engage in purchasing sexual services.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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

A 3503: Requires State entities purchase five percent of goods and services from Central Nonprofit Agency; requires Division of Purchase and Property establish training protocols for all purchasing agents; grants Central Nonprofit Agency right of first refusal.*

This bill requires all New Jersey state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, and other local government entities to purchase at least 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA), which supports rehabilitation facilities. It grants the CNA a "right of first refusal" for any goods/services typically bought through cooperative purchasing catalogs, provided they can match prices within 15% of fair market value. The bill also mandates that the Division of Purchase and Property create training protocols for all purchasing agents to ensure awareness of the CNA program, with annual reporting on compliance by all affected entities. These requirements apply to all state and local government bodies authorized to make purchases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

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

A 811: Prohibits sex offenders from residing within 1,000 feet of victim's home or workplace.

This bill prohibits registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of their victim's home or workplace. It makes this a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Exceptions apply if the offender is in a correctional facility, receiving mental health treatment, or established their residence before the law takes effect. The sponsor states this closes a gap in Megan's Law by explicitly restricting proximity to victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

All criminal justice bills