Criminal Justice in New Jersey

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

A 3374: Requires counseling for certain domestic violence offenders.

This bill requires courts to mandate domestic violence counseling for offenders convicted of domestic violence crimes or placed on probation/sentence suspension for such offenses. It applies directly to defendants found guilty of domestic violence, replacing the previous discretionary court option with a mandatory requirement. The law specifies that counseling must be provided by experts in domestic violence and requires defendants to submit proof of attendance. Additionally, completing this counseling becomes a condition for dissolving restraining orders.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Probation & Parole

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1325: Requires AG to establish training program for crowd management and provide resources to municipal police department or force for large gatherings and flash mobs.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create a training program for municipal police departments to manage large gatherings (over 500 people) and "flash mobs" (50+ people organized via social media without advance notice, impacting safety). The training covers crowd control techniques, juvenile-specific approaches, social media response strategies, and inter-agency coordination. It also establishes protocols allowing local police to request state resources like mobile command units, social media monitoring tools, and additional personnel during such events. The bill, now effective as part of P.L.2025, c.246, directly affects municipal police departments across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3688: Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses employing released nonviolent offenders.

This bill provides tax credits to New Jersey businesses that hire released nonviolent offenders. Specifically, businesses can claim a 15% credit (up to $900 per employee) on wages paid to these individuals for both corporation business tax and gross income tax. To qualify, the offender must have committed a nonviolent crime (excluding certain offenses involving force), served time or alternative sentencing, and been released into community supervision. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven years, but total credits cannot exceed 50% of a business's tax liability. The bill directly affects employers in New Jersey who hire eligible individuals, aiming to incentivize their reemployment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Probation & Parole Sentencing Workforce Development

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

A 1895: Requires training for constables.

This New Jersey bill requires all constables to complete approved training within six months of appointment. Existing constables appointed before the bill's effective date must complete the training within one year. The training covers motor vehicle offenses, traffic duties, spectator control, and professional development, as outlined in the amended statute. The Police Training Commission oversees approved training schools and ensures compliance with these requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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 & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics State Budget Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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

A 2784: Requires court to consider results of domestic violence assessment before dissolving certain domestic violence restraining orders.

This New Jersey bill (A 2784) requires courts to consider the results of a domestic violence assessment before dissolving protective orders in cases where a defendant has two or more such orders. It directly affects defendants seeking to end multiple domestic violence restraining orders and the courts handling those requests. The key mechanism mandates that defendants with two or more orders undergo a court-ordered domestic violence assessment (at their own cost), and the court must weigh the assessment findings alongside other factors like victim safety and the defendant’s history. The bill updates existing procedures to ensure courts have additional evidence about the defendant’s risk before ending protective measures.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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 Jan 13, 2026

A 1934: Imposes certain duties on persons or entities engaged in business pertaining to criminal records and imposes penalties for disseminating expunged record; increases maximum fine for current disorderly persons offense.

This New Jersey bill increases penalties for improperly disclosing expunged criminal records and sets new requirements for background check businesses. It raises the maximum fine for revealing expunged records from $200 to $2,000 and requires background check companies to regularly update records, delete expunged entries promptly, and inform clients about record validity dates. Companies that distribute expunged records they know are sealed face $5,000 penalties or actual damages plus legal fees. The bill directly affects background check businesses and individuals with expunged records by strengthening protections against improper disclosure. It takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Firearms

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

A 3685: Requires AG to defend challenges to certain municipal ordinances that establish residency requirements for convicted sex offenders.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create a model ordinance restricting where convicted sex offenders (with moderate/high reoffense risk) can live near schools or child-focused areas. Municipalities adopting this exact model ordinance will receive free legal defense from the Attorney General if challenged in court. The model cannot force offenders to relocate or violate constitutional travel rights. It directly affects municipalities seeking to enforce such restrictions and convicted sex offenders subject to registration requirements. The Attorney General must issue the model within 90 days and defend all identical ordinances at no cost to the municipality.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts

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

A 2601: Provides free telecommunication services for incarcerated persons at State, county, and private adult and juvenile correctional facilities.

This bill requires all New Jersey state, county, and private correctional facilities - including juvenile facilities - to provide free voice calls, video calls, and email services to incarcerated adults and juveniles. It prohibits facilities from charging inmates or their families any fees (including per-minute charges, surcharges, or account fees), ensuring both parties to communications bear no cost. The law also mandates that facilities maintain current service access levels and transfer any remaining prepaid funds to inmates' commissary accounts. The bill appropriates state funds for implementation and takes effect six months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

All criminal justice bills