Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

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

A 749: Establishes pilot program in Paterson authorizing non-disclosure of records of certain expungements.

This bill establishes a 5-year pilot program in Paterson, New Jersey, allowing certain job seekers with expunged records to avoid disclosing minor offenses during employment applications for municipal court, law enforcement, or corrections roles. It specifically exempts from disclosure records related to arrests/charges dismissed without conviction or minor convictions (like disorderly conduct), but requires disclosure for serious crime convictions. Court directors, administrators, and deputy administrators remain subject to existing disclosure rules. The city must report to the governor and legislature after 5 years on whether to continue, modify, or expand the program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables expunged record holders to work in criminal justice roles by exempting minor offenses from disclosure, reducing employment barriers and supporting rehabilitation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3303: Updates certain crimes to include nonconsensual pornographic deepfake threats and disclosure.

S 3303 (New Jersey) updates criminal laws to specifically address nonconsensual deepfake imagery. It creates new third-degree crimes for creating or sharing deepfakes depicting intimate acts without consent, and fourth-degree crimes for sharing non-deepfake intimate images or disclosing deepfakes created from such images. The bill directly affects individuals who produce or distribute nonconsensual deepfakes (defined as digitally altered media appearing authentic) of others in private situations, and victims of such acts. Key provisions include defining "deepfake" clearly, requiring consent for sharing intimate images (with limited exceptions for law enforcement), and establishing separate penalties for creation and disclosure. The bill does not yet have a final vote or become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offenses to protect victims from nonconsensual deepfakes, directly advancing civil rights protections within criminal justice policy.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCriminalizes nonconsensual deepfake creation/sharing to protect privacy, directly advancing data privacy safeguards against technology misuse.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence

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

A 2374: Requires law enforcement develop protocol for social media in certain circumstances.

This bill requires New Jersey's State Police and all local police departments that use social media to post about missing persons or wanted persons to create and follow a clear protocol for removing those posts. Specifically, the protocol must mandate removal within six months after the person is found (for missing persons) or after arrest/dismissal (for wanted persons). The law aims to prevent outdated posts from causing real harm, such as job denials or unnecessary scrutiny for individuals no longer missing or wanted. It directly affects law enforcement agencies that publicly share this information online, ensuring their social media content stays current.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires removal of outdated social media posts to prevent harm, protecting civil rights and enhancing police accountability in law enforcement practices.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates removal of outdated social media posts about missing/wanted persons to prevent privacy harms, directly protecting data privacy as per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Social Media

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 948: Establishes grant program for certain law enforcement agencies to purchase and install bullet-resistant components for motor vehicles.

S 948 creates a grant program administered by New Jersey's Attorney General to help county and municipal law enforcement agencies purchase bullet-resistant windshields, windows, and door panels for patrol vehicles. It establishes a dedicated "Bullet-Resistant Law Enforcement Motor Vehicles" fund, financed by $1 added to each traffic fine collected under Title 39, to provide these grants. The fund will cover costs for installing bullet-resistant components on vehicles used by officers during official duties, with the Attorney General setting application rules and eligibility criteria. This directly affects local police departments and sheriff's offices seeking to enhance officer safety through vehicle protection.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds bullet-resistant vehicle components for law enforcement safety, directly supporting officer protection within criminal justice operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1357: Prohibits leaving loaded firearm within easy access of minor under age of 18; requires law enforcement officers who observe unsecured firearms to conduct follow-up.

This bill (S 1357) raises New Jersey’s minor age threshold for firearm access from 16 to 18, prohibiting firearm owners from leaving loaded guns within easy reach of minors under 18 at their premises. It requires owners to securely store firearms - using locked containers, secure locations, or trigger locks - to avoid a disorderly persons offense (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine) if a minor accesses the weapon. Law enforcement officers observing unsecured firearms must return to verify proper storage. The law applies to all firearm owners with minors under 18 on their property, excluding lawful minor firearm use under existing law. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents minor firearm access incidents via secure storage mandates, reducing gun violence risk - aligns with criminal justice reform goals of public safety prevention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2771: Establishes protections for immigrants interacting with government agencies; designates "New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act."

S 2771, the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, prohibits state and local government agencies from holding individuals for federal immigration authorities based on immigration detainers. It requires agencies like schools, hospitals, and law enforcement to provide services without fear of immigration enforcement, ensuring all residents access public services regardless of immigration status. The bill specifically bans cooperation with "immigration detainers" (requests from federal authorities to detain people) unless supported by a judicial warrant. This directly affects immigrant communities by reducing barriers to healthcare, education, and public safety services, while directing state resources toward local priorities instead of federal immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits state agencies from holding individuals for federal immigration detainers, protecting immigrants from law enforcement overreach and ensuring access to services without fear of deportation.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBans state cooperation with federal immigration detainers, ensures public service access regardless of status, protecting immigrant rights per bill's explicit provisions95% confidence

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

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2775: Provides police training course credit to prior military law enforcement officer seeking employment as law enforcement officer in NJ.

This bill (S 2775) allows military law enforcement officers who separated under honorable conditions within the past three years to receive credit toward New Jersey's police training requirements when seeking civilian law enforcement jobs in the state. Specifically, it requires the Police Training Commission to grant exemptions for parts of the basic training course that match their prior military training, provided the courses were substantially equivalent. It does not exempt applicants from the entire training course, only the comparable sections. This directly affects veterans transitioning from military law enforcement roles to positions with New Jersey state, county, or municipal police agencies. The bill amends existing law to ensure military experience is recognized in the state's certification process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill streamlines hiring for military law enforcement officers by granting training credits, supporting law enforcement efficiency within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEnables veterans to transition to civilian law enforcement by granting credit for military training, directly supporting veteran employment opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Veteran Employment

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died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 448: Upgrades to third degree crime for cyber-harassment of public servant or family member of public servant; establishes Office of Cyber-Harassment Support in DLPS; appropriates funds.

This bill (S 448) upgrades penalties for cyber-harassment targeting public servants or their family members, elevating it to a third-degree crime (a higher-level criminal charge) from the previous fourth-degree classification. It creates a new Office of Cyber-Harassment Support within the state Department of Law and Public Safety to coordinate education, victim support, and prevention programs statewide. The office will work with law enforcement, schools, and social media platforms to improve reporting systems, develop awareness campaigns, and provide counseling for victims. The bill also appropriates state funds for the office’s implementation and includes provisions for parental accountability if minors commit cyber-harassment. (Note: The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.303.)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Office of Cyber-Harassment Support for victim services/prevention, elevates penalties for targeted harassment, aligning with criminal justice reform through enhanced victim protection and coordinated prevention programs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill elevates cyber-harassment penalties to third-degree crime and creates Office of Cyber-Harassment Support to enhance cybersecurity measures, victim protection, and prevention programs with social media platforms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Social Media

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2601: "Stephanie's Law"; Requires AOC to establish publicly-accessible domestic violence registry; requires law enforcement officer to search State's domestic violence registries when conducting arrest.

S 2601 ("Stephanie's Law") requires New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to create a publicly accessible domestic violence registry. The registry includes individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes, those with final restraining orders against them, or those found in contempt of such orders. It will contain detailed personal information (name, aliases, photo, vehicle details, address) for public search, with a process for removal if someone was wrongly listed. Law enforcement must search both this new public registry and the existing non-public central registry during arrests to check for active restraining orders. This bill aims to enhance public safety by providing accessible information about individuals with domestic violence histories.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates law enforcement to check domestic violence registry during arrests, enhancing accountability and public safety in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1286: Permits probationary or temporary appointment of law enforcement officer as State or county investigator under certain circumstances.

This bill allows permanent New Jersey law enforcement officers with active police training certifications to receive a temporary 120-day appointment as State or county investigators. During this period, they may perform full investigator duties while being trained and certified as basic investigators. The temporary role remains active until the officer applies for and receives permanent investigator licensure through the Police Training Commission. This creates a formal pathway for officers to transition into investigator roles without requiring immediate permanent licensure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates formal pathway for law enforcement officers to become certified investigators, strengthening law enforcement structure within criminal justice system.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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