Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights) in New Jersey

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

A 3014: Allows victims and relatives to witness parole hearings.

This bill (A 3014) allows victims of first- or second-degree crimes and the nearest relatives of murder victims to witness the entire parole hearing for offenders, not just submit statements or testify. It amends existing law to require parole boards to notify these individuals of their right to observe the hearing and provide their contact information. Currently, victims could only submit written/videotaped statements or testify, but this bill adds the right to attend the full hearing proceedings. The change applies to inmates whose crimes meet specific severity thresholds outlined in the bill.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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 Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

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

A 3226: Prohibits release of personal identifying information of violent crime victims and witnesses under State's open public records law.

This bill (A 3226) prohibits public agencies from releasing personal identifying information of violent crime victims and witnesses under New Jersey's open records law. It directly affects law enforcement agencies, courts, and other public bodies that maintain records, by requiring them to withhold specific details like names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and social media handles. Key provisions add "personal identifying information of a violent crime victim or witness" to the list of confidential records, explicitly defining protected details to include home/work addresses, contact information, and identifiers. The bill does not change how crimes are prosecuted but limits public access to sensitive victim/witness data already held in official records.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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

A 903: Enhances "Crime Victim's Bill of Rights"; prohibits defendant from entering crime victim's home throughout criminal justice process, including in relation to any investigation or discovery.

This bill amends New Jersey's Crime Victim's Bill of Rights (P.L.1985, c.249) to explicitly prohibit defendants from entering a crime victim's home at any point during criminal proceedings - including investigations or discovery. It directly affects crime victims by adding a new protection: victims must be free from the risk of defendants entering their homes, with only one exception for court-approved inspections of the crime scene (e.g., if a defendant requests to view a home where a crime occurred and demonstrates a legitimate need for evidence). The law requires courts to impose strict privacy safeguards during such limited inspections, balancing defendant rights with victim safety. This change strengthens existing protections against intimidation (subsection c) and minimizes victim inconvenience (subsection d).

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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

A 4200: Authorizes VCCO to make payments to dependents of deceased victims in cases of strict liability for drug-induced deaths.

This bill expands New Jersey's Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) program to provide payments to dependents of victims who died from drug-induced deaths under strict liability laws. It adds "strict liability for drug-induced deaths" as a qualifying offense, allowing the VCCO to order compensation when a defendant has been charged for the drug-related death under the existing statute (P.L.1987, c.106). The bill does not change the strict liability law itself but extends compensation eligibility to these specific cases. Dependents of victims in such situations can now access financial assistance through the VCCO program.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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

A 2255: Permits exception to VCCO compensation reporting requirement for unreported sexual offenses if victim received certain forensic medical services.

This bill amends New Jersey's crime compensation law to allow victims of sexual assault to qualify for compensation from the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) even if they did not report the offense to police. It directly affects victims of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, or related offenses who received forensic medical services through a county sexual assault response team (SART) within nine months of the incident. The key provision removes the requirement for a police report when such medical services were provided, making compensation accessible to those who sought medical care but chose not to report to law enforcement. The change applies to cases where a SART conducted forensic exams, streamlining access to support for unreported sexual offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Victims' Rights

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 2205: Requires signs to be posted in emergency rooms regarding VCCO.

Bill A 2205 requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Health (working with the Attorney General) to create clear, easily understandable signs for emergency rooms. These signs must display VCCO services/benefits, contact details, and how to file a compensation claim. The bill mandates posting these signs in all general hospital emergency departments and satellite emergency departments, with electronic displays permitted. It aims to make VCCO information more accessible to individuals who may qualify for victim compensation after crimes. The bill takes effect four months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Hospitals

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3696: Invokes comity to direct Governor to notify victim of impending release of incarcerated person granted clemency.

This bill requires the New Jersey Governor to notify crime victims (or their family members if the victim is deceased) at least 30 days before granting clemency (pardon, commutation, or reprieve). It mandates that the Governor issue a written report detailing the offender's name, original crime and sentence, type of clemency granted, and the reasons for the decision. The report must be published online and sent to the Legislature. This affects victims of crimes for which clemency is approved, ensuring they receive advance notice and transparency about the clemency decision.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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

A 2570: Makes victims of motor vehicle accidents eligible for VCCO compensation under certain circumstances; establishes Traffic Crash Victim's Bill of Rights.

This bill expands eligibility for compensation from New Jersey's Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to include victims of motor vehicle crashes resulting in death or requiring ambulance removal from the scene. It also establishes a "Traffic Crash Victim's Bill of Rights," granting victims and families specific entitlements: free access to police reports and crash evidence, notification about court hearings (including license suspension cases), the right to take work leave for related hearings, protection from harassment by the other driver, and access to compensation assistance. The bill directly affects crash victims who previously did not qualify for VCCO benefits under New Jersey law. These changes aim to provide clearer access to information and support for those impacted by serious traffic crashes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Victims' Rights Employment Discrimination

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

A 1215: Expands crime of human trafficking to include individuals who benefit financially.

This bill expands New Jersey's human trafficking law to include individuals who profit financially from trafficking schemes, even if they aren't organizers, supervisors, financiers, or managers. It directly affects people who receive money or other benefits from trafficking activities, such as business owners who exploit victims or third parties facilitating exploitation. The key change adds a new subsection defining human trafficking to cover "receiving anything of value" from trafficking, while maintaining a 20-year minimum prison term and requiring restitution to victims based on their labor value. This makes it a crime to profit from trafficking without needing to prove a formal leadership role in the scheme.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

All criminal justice bills