Criminal Justice (Corrections) in New Jersey

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 11, 2026

A 4835: Permits pretrial detention for contempt violation of protective order issued under "Victim's Assistance and Survivor Protection Act."

This bill allows prosecutors to request pretrial detention for defendants who violate protective orders issued under the Victim's Assistance and Survivor Protection Act. It amends existing New Jersey law by adding contempt of such protective orders as a specific ground for holding a defendant in jail before their trial. The legislation establishes a legal presumption that defendants accused of serious crimes should be detained if a judge finds probable cause that they pose a risk to public safety or will not appear in court. While detained, defendants retain the right to legal representation and a hearing to contest the detention, though standard trial evidence rules do not apply during this process.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 23, 2026

A 4803: Requires YJC to publish information regarding juveniles who were waived to adult criminal court and are serving custodial sentences in State juvenile facilities.

This bill requires New Jersey's Youth Justice Commission to create and maintain a public registry of juveniles who were transferred to adult criminal court and are currently serving sentences in state juvenile facilities. The registry will include personal details such as names, sentences, facility locations, release dates, and criminal histories for both juveniles whose cases were waived without their consent and those who elected the waiver. Additionally, the commission must publish biennial reports with aggregated data on offenses, incarceration terms, demographics, and incidents like violence or segregation within these facilities. The law also mandates that the commission publish parole eligibility criteria online and provide this information to each incarcerated juvenile.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3806: Requires female inmates be provided with family planning services prior to release from correctional facility.

This bill requires the New Jersey Commissioner of Corrections to provide family planning services to female inmates at least 10 days before their release from state correctional facilities. It amends the existing Fair Release and Reentry Act of 2009, which already mandates that all inmates receive various documents and resources to assist with reentry, such as medical records, prescription medications, and information on voting and employment. The provision specifically targets female inmates by adding family planning services to the list of required pre-release resources. This change aims to support women transitioning back into society by ensuring they have access to reproductive health planning before leaving incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Women's Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 3997: Amends statute that criminalizes display of symbols, objects, or graffiti exposing another to threats of violence to specifically include noose, burning cross, or other symbol of hate.

This bill amends New Jersey hate crime laws to explicitly include nooses, burning crosses, and other symbols of hate as criminal threats of violence. It directly affects individuals who place such symbols on private property, expanding the existing statute that already criminalizes graffiti and objects intended to threaten bodily harm. The legislation clarifies that displaying these specific hate symbols constitutes a third-degree crime when placed on private property and a fourth-degree crime when damaging religious, educational, residential, or assembly spaces. In addition to potential jail time or fines, convicted individuals may be required to pay restitution or perform community service to remove the graffiti. The changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Victims' Rights

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 91: Urges Congress to propose amendment to United States Constitution to prohibit use of slavery or indentured servitude for individuals convicted of crime.

This New Jersey Senate Resolution urges Congress to propose a constitutional amendment that would ban the use of slavery and indentured servitude for individuals convicted of crimes. The bill directly addresses the legal exception in the Thirteenth Amendment that currently permits forced labor as punishment for criminal convictions. By calling for a constitutional change, the resolution seeks to eliminate the practice of unpaid or low-wage prison labor and prevent private correctional facilities from profiting from incarcerated workers. The measure would require federal action to remove the loophole that allows slavery and indentured servitude in the criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4695: Establishes centralized electronic health information exchange infrastructure to facilitate reentry into civilian life for recently incarcerated persons.

This bill creates a centralized electronic system in New Jersey to securely share health records between healthcare providers, correctional facilities, and reentry programs. It requires the New Jersey Health Information Technology Commission to build this infrastructure in consultation with the Department of Health and Department of Corrections. The system would allow patients to request their health information be shared across these different settings with their informed consent, while ensuring all data sharing complies with privacy laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

AR 126: Establishes Prison Gang Violence Task Force to study security and safety in State correctional facilities.

This Assembly Resolution establishes a Prison Gang Task Force to study security and safety issues in New Jersey's correctional facilities. The task force will examine topics such as gang prevalence, safety equipment for officers, training adequacy, intelligence gathering methods, and policies for handling incidents. It consists of 11 members appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, including current and former correctional police officers, legislators, and experts in gang-related activities and facility security. Members serve without pay but may receive expense reimbursements, and the group must organize within 60 days of the resolution's approval.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3801: Requires inmate to participate in Medicaid enrollment session 60 days prior to release.

This bill requires inmates in New Jersey state prisons and county correctional facilities to attend a Medicaid enrollment session at least 60 days before their release. During these sessions, trained staff will assist inmates in completing and submitting Medicaid applications, either in person or over the phone. The law also mandates that inmates who choose not to participate must sign a written waiver and receive guidance on Medicaid benefits and application processes for future use. This change aims to streamline healthcare coverage transitions for individuals reentering society after incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Medicaid

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 9, 2026

A 4493: Establishes grant program for school districts to establish substance abuse prevention programs for eighth grade students.

This bill creates a grant program administered by New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to help school districts fund substance abuse prevention programs for eighth grade students. The programs must include two required components: training for school staff and parents on recognizing substance abuse risks, and a four-phase student program featuring real-life stories from rehabilitation residents, family members affected by substance abuse, correctional facility inmates, and positive role models. School districts must apply for grants and prove they have funding (from district budgets, private donations, or federal sources) to cover the program. Parents may opt their child out of the student program without academic penalty if it conflicts with their religious or moral beliefs.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 3351: Prohibits sex offenders from holding any job, position, or type of employment that primarily consists of contact with children.

This bill prohibits sex offenders assessed as moderate or high risk of re-offending from working in any job where 80% or more of their duties involve contact with children. It directly affects individuals convicted of certain sex offenses under New Jersey's Megan's Law who have been risk-assessed as moderate or high. The law makes it a third-degree crime (carrying up to 5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine) for such offenders to accept, contract for, or serve in these roles. The prohibition excludes offenders under 18 working in rehabilitative programs for juvenile sex offenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice

All criminal justice bills