Bill S 103 creates new criminal offenses for the unlawful possession and use of credit card scanners in New Jersey. It makes possessing such a device without a lawful purpose a disorderly persons offense (misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 fine or 6 months in jail), and using it for unlawful purposes a second-degree crime (felony punishable by up to $150,000 fine or 5-10 years in prison). The bill directly affects individuals who handle credit card scanners without authorization, such as those attempting to steal card data. Key provisions define "credit card scanner" broadly as any device that reads, records, or transmits card information, and establish specific penalties for each violation. The law takes effect two months after enactment.
This bill adds xylazine to New Jersey's Schedule III controlled substances list, meaning it is now classified as a controlled drug with specific legal restrictions. The exception explicitly allows veterinarians to prescribe, administer, or dispense xylazine for animal care without violating the law. Illegally possessing, distributing, or using xylazine would become a third-degree crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $35,000. This change directly affects people who misuse xylazine outside of veterinary contexts, while leaving veterinary practice unaffected.
This bill adds 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), a psychoactive compound found in Kratom, to New Jersey's Schedule I list of controlled substances. It directly affects anyone possessing, manufacturing, distributing, or using 7-OH in the state. Under the law, 7-OH would be classified as a substance with "high potential for abuse" and "no accepted medical use," making it illegal for non-medical purposes. Possession of 1 ounce or more would be a second-degree crime, while smaller amounts would be a third-degree crime under New Jersey's drug laws.
This bill classifies tianeptine (a medication sometimes misused for its opioid-like effects) as a Schedule II controlled substance in New Jersey, meaning it now requires a prescription for medical use and is strictly regulated. It directly affects individuals who possess or distribute tianeptine without authorization, including those misusing it recreationally. The key provision adds tianeptine explicitly to Schedule II, requiring prescriptions and making unauthorized possession a crime. The bill cites the Drug Enforcement Administration's concern about tianeptine's rapid rise in illicit use and associated health risks like respiratory depression and overdose. (Note: The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.249, so it is now law.)
This bill increases penalties for fentanyl offenses under New Jersey law. It classifies possessing or distributing five ounces or more of fentanyl (including impurities) as a first-degree crime, mandating a minimum prison term of one-third to one-half of the sentence without parole eligibility, plus fines up to $500,000. The law specifically targets fentanyl trafficking, raising the threshold for the most severe penalties compared to other drugs like heroin or methamphetamine. It directly affects individuals involved in manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing fentanyl in quantities meeting the new thresholds. The bill amends existing New Jersey statute N.J.S.2C:35-5 to implement these stricter penalties.
This bill (S 1514) creates criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly endanger children via social media or other electronic communication. It amends New Jersey law to specifically prohibit using electronic means (including social media platforms) to engage in conduct likely to harm a child’s physical, mental, or moral welfare, or to direct children into dangerous activities. Those with legal care responsibilities for the child face second-degree charges, while others face third-degree charges. The law explicitly excludes internet service providers protected under federal law (Section 230) from these penalties. It directly affects anyone using digital platforms to endanger children under 18, with penalties applying to distribution, possession, or storage of child sexual abuse material shared online.
S 1268 would have added criminal penalties for selling or possessing machine gun conversion devices - parts that turn standard firearms into automatic weapons. It directly affects individuals who manufacture, sell, or keep these parts, making such actions a criminal offense under New Jersey's firearm laws. The bill amended existing definitions to explicitly include "any part designed and intended solely for converting a firearm into a machine gun" within prohibited items. However, the bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was superseded by a prior law (P.L.2025, c.363).
This bill makes it a disorderly persons offense (punishable by up to 6 months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both) for someone to possess a hypodermic needle or syringe during a lawful police stop or search without declaring it to the officer before physical contact occurs. It directly affects individuals carrying such items who are stopped by law enforcement. The key requirement is that the person must verbally declare the possession to the officer prior to any physical interaction.
S 1021 increases penalties for incarcerated people who possess items that could aid escape (like weapons or tools) and for anyone who provides such items to them. It changes the offense to a second-degree crime with a mandatory minimum 5-year prison term for all escape-related items (previously 3 years for weapons only), and raises the penalty for providing other prohibited items to a third-degree crime (from a minor offense). This directly affects incarcerated individuals and staff or visitors who bring prohibited items into correctional facilities. The bill aims to strengthen consequences for actions that compromise facility safety, without altering the legal definitions of prohibited items.
This bill increases penalties for manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing certain Schedule I or II controlled substances (like heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, and phencyclidine) in New Jersey. It sets specific quantity thresholds that trigger higher felony classifications: for example, heroin over 5 ounces becomes a first-degree crime (with mandatory minimum prison time), while quantities between 0.5 and 5 ounces become second-degree offenses. The law also raises maximum fines for these offenses, up to $500,000 for first-degree crimes involving Schedule I/II drugs. It directly affects individuals convicted of these drug-related offenses based on the amount involved.
