Criminal Justice (Human Trafficking)

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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpgrades penalties for repeat prostitution patron offenses while directing fines to human trafficking survivor support, aligning with anti-trafficking reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track

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

A 4274: Directs referral of certain persons under 18 for determination of status as socially or economically disadvantaged youth.

This bill amends New Jersey's prostitution statute (N.J.S.2C:34-1) to strengthen penalties for crimes involving minors under 18. It specifically makes promoting prostitution of a child under 18 a first-degree crime and engaging in prostitution with a minor a second-degree crime, with no defense allowed for mistakenly believing the minor was 18 or older. The law directly affects individuals who exploit children in prostitution by eliminating a common defense used in court. It aims to provide clearer legal protection for minors through stricter criminal penalties, without including provisions for referrals or social services as suggested by the bill's title.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens penalties for child exploitation in prostitution, eliminates defenses, and protects minors - aligns with criminal justice reform to enhance victim protection and accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4470: "Video Game Marketplace Child Protection and Anti-Trafficking Act," creates new penalties for non-reporting of suspected human trafficking through video game marketplaces.

This New Jersey bill (A4470) requires video game marketplaces to report suspected human trafficking to authorities. It directly affects operators of platforms where users buy/sell in-game items, adding a new legal obligation to report trafficking activity occurring through these services. Violating this reporting requirement carries penalties including fines of $100,000-$500,000 and prison sentences of 20 years or more. The law amends existing human trafficking statutes to explicitly include exploitation via video game marketplaces as a covered offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires video game platforms to report human trafficking, strengthening enforcement under criminal justice statutes via new reporting obligations and penalties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking

Track

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

A 934: Requires DCA, in consultation with Commission on Human Trafficking, to establish Statewide initiative for Red Sand Project.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to create a statewide initiative for the Red Sand Project, aligning with January (Human Trafficking Prevention Month). The initiative must be developed in consultation with the newly established Commission on Human Trafficking, which evaluates trafficking laws and victim services. Funding for the project may come from the Human Trafficking Survivor’s Assistance Fund, as authorized by the Attorney General. The bill directly affects state agencies and victim support programs by formalizing a coordinated awareness effort.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes anti-trafficking initiative with victim services focus, aligning with criminal justice reform through prevention and survivor support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track

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

A 403: Establishes affirmative defense to prosecution for any crime committed by victim of human trafficking under certain circumstances.

This bill creates an affirmative defense for individuals who commit crimes while being victims of human trafficking. It allows defendants to avoid prosecution for any offense (under New Jersey's criminal code) if they were victims of trafficking at the time and the crime was a direct result of that trafficking. The defense applies even if the trafficking case against them didn't lead to a conviction. It also requires courts to order restitution payments to trafficking victims, with funds directed to a dedicated survivor assistance fund. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates affirmative defense for trafficking victims to avoid prosecution, reducing recidivism and protecting civil rights through sentencing reform.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill protects trafficking victims (often immigrants) from prosecution for crimes committed under duress, requiring restitution as a victim service.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

Track

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

A 332: Permits victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify in criminal proceedings via closed circuit television; permits judge to make motion to seek closed circuit testimony.

This bill expands New Jersey law to allow victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify via closed-circuit television in criminal trials, directly affecting those involved in human trafficking cases. Courts may order such testimony after a hearing, requiring proof of "severe emotional or mental distress" if testifying in person, while ensuring the defendant can cross-examine and observe the witness's demeanor. The law specifies that minors' audio testimony recordings cannot be part of the public record or appeal, protecting them from potential stigma, while adults' recordings generally become part of the record unless the court orders otherwise. It also clarifies that victims, prosecutors, defendants, or judges can request this testimony method.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects trafficking victims' rights by enabling remote testimony while preserving defendant cross-examination rights, advancing victim-centered criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Judges

Track

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

A 477: Establishes Governor's Survivor Leader Advisory Council in DOH; requires council to create report on human trafficking and 2026 FIFA World Cup; appropriates $1 million.

This bill establishes the Governor's Survivor Leader Advisory Council within New Jersey's Department of Health to address human trafficking risks associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The council, composed of nine members including trafficking survivors and a law enforcement officer, will evaluate existing laws, review assistance programs, develop public awareness campaigns (including toll-free hotline signage), and submit a report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 180 days. The bill appropriates $1 million from the state's General Fund to fund the council's operations, with the council's work ending upon report submission or one year after the World Cup, whichever occurs later. This directly affects New Jersey's state response to trafficking during the event, focusing on prevention, victim support, and coordination.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $1 million to fund a new state council addressing human trafficking and World Cup safety, directly advancing public service funding within budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAddresses human trafficking via survivor-led council to evaluate laws and improve victim services, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

Track

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

A 2178: Expands duties of Commission on Human Trafficking to prevent human trafficking in women and children of color.

This bill (A 2178) amends New Jersey's Commission on Human Trafficking to specifically require the commission to study human trafficking affecting women and children of color. The commission must identify risk factors making these groups vulnerable, develop prevention strategies, and recommend ways to improve support services for victims. The commission will continue its existing duties - like evaluating laws, reviewing victim programs, and promoting public awareness - but now with a focused mandate on racial disparities in trafficking. It will report annually to the Governor and Legislature on its findings and legislative recommendations related to this specific population.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates targeted prevention strategies and improved victim services for trafficking victims of color, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like enhancing victim support and addressing systemic vulnerabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2338: Requires public transportation employees and certain motorbus operators to complete training course on handling and responding to suspected human trafficking; requires inclusion of certain content in certain courses.

Bill A 2338 required public transportation employees, motorbus operators, hotel/motel staff, healthcare facility workers, and judicial personnel to complete one-time training on recognizing human trafficking signs and responding appropriately. The training, mandated as a condition for license renewals or employment, must include specific content about victim signals observed in public spaces and be reviewed biennially. It applied directly to licensed entities like hotels, healthcare facilities, and transit operators, with enforcement handled by the Department of Community Affairs and Department of Health. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as P.L.2025, c.343.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates human trafficking recognition training for key service workers, enhancing victim identification and response - aligning with criminal justice reform goals of protecting civil rights and improving law enforcement coordination.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track

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

ACR 112: Directs SCI to examine human trafficking activity at certain places of business.

ACR 112 is a concurrent resolution directing New Jersey's State Commission of Investigation (SCI) to examine human trafficking activity at massage and bodywork therapy businesses. The SCI must investigate these locations - where employers are registered and therapists are licensed under state law - and submit a report with findings and recommendations within two years. The report may be delayed up to 120 days if the Attorney General objects to information suggesting potential trafficking or criminal activity. This resolution does not change existing laws but mandates an investigation to address concerns highlighted in a 2018 Polaris Project report about trafficking in such businesses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDirects SCI to investigate human trafficking at licensed businesses, enhancing law enforcement efforts to combat criminal activity within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

Track