Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 11, 2026

A 5155: Requires expedited compliance with certain search warrants in domestic violence and stalking investigations.

This bill amends New Jersey's existing laws regarding search warrants in domestic violence and stalking cases to require law enforcement to act more quickly when executing them. It specifically updates legal definitions for terms like "wire communication," "electronic communication," and "in-progress trace" to ensure clarity during investigations. The changes aim to streamline the process for police officers and prosecutors who handle these specific types of crimes, while maintaining the legal framework for intercepting communications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires expedited compliance with search warrants in domestic violence cases, enhancing law enforcement efficiency and victim protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4138: Prohibits State's law enforcement from participating in immigration enforcement unless action is premised upon valid judicial warrant.

This New Jersey bill prohibits state law enforcement officers from participating in civil immigration enforcement operations unless a valid judicial warrant is issued. The legislation defines a judicial warrant as one based on probable cause and issued by a federal or state judge, while a law enforcement officer is anyone with the power to arrest or convict offenders. To ensure compliance, the Attorney General must create guidelines that direct how these restrictions are implemented. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts law enforcement participation in immigration enforcement without warrants, enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill restricts state law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement absent a judicial warrant, protecting immigrant rights.95% confidence

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

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 11, 2026

A 5040: Establishes Hope Card Program to provide victims of domestic violence with restraining order quick reference wallet card; makes appropriation.

This bill creates the Hope Card Program in New Jersey to give victims of domestic violence a free, wallet-sized card that summarizes their restraining order details. The card is designed to help victims quickly show law enforcement and other authorities the protections they have when they are in danger. Courts must issue these cards within ten business days of finalizing a restraining order, and the card itself does not replace the legal order but serves as a convenient reference. The legislation also updates the state's central registry rules to allow the Hope Card information to be shared with authorized agencies for safety investigations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill includes an appropriation to fund the Hope Card Program, directly advancing fiscal support for a public safety service.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens victim protection by providing quick access to restraining order details, enhancing law enforcement response and safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 5007: Requires establishment of hotline for purpose of reporting certain acts of misconduct by public officials.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to create a 24-hour toll-free hotline within 60 days for reporting misconduct by public officials. It covers state and local government employees and allows citizens to report specific issues such as bribery, corruption, and misuse of public funds. The department must investigate all credible reports and can refer cases to law enforcement or ethics commissions for further action. Additionally, the agency must prominently display the hotline number on its website to ensure public awareness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability by establishing a hotline to report misconduct, corruption, and misuse of funds by public officials.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4071: Requires DLPS to establish and make available to law enforcement agencies training materials concerning interactions with hearing impaired; requires annual training for law enforcement and contracting with qualified interpreters.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to create training materials and an online tutorial for law enforcement officers on interacting with hearing-impaired individuals. It mandates that all state, county, municipal, and campus police departments use these resources for annual training and must contract with qualified interpreters who can respond to requests within two hours. The legislation defines a hearing-impaired person as someone unable to understand oral communication and specifies that a qualified interpreter must be certified by recognized national or state registries.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates training and interpreter access for law enforcement, enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights of hearing-impaired individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4103: Requires sexual assault forensic evidence to be preserved for 10 years.

This bill requires that forensic evidence collected during sexual assault investigations in New Jersey be kept for at least 10 years, extending to 10 years after a minor victim turns 18. It applies to various custodians, including law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and healthcare facilities, and mandates that they notify victims within 30 days of collection that the evidence may be discarded after the preservation period. The law also allows county prosecutors or the Division of Criminal Justice to authorize destruction after the deadline, provided they offer the Division a chance to take custody of the items. By updating current guidelines that previously required only five years of retention, the legislation aims to ensure evidence remains available for potential future use.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by preserving forensic evidence to aid investigations and protect victims' rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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

A 4532: Prohibits sharing automated license plate reader information for interstate investigation concerning reproductive health care services that are legal in NJ.

This New Jersey bill prohibits law enforcement agencies and other users of automated license plate readers from sharing that information with out-of-state authorities for investigations related to reproductive health care services that are legal in the state. The legislation requires any out-of-state agency requesting such data to provide a written guarantee that the information will not be used to pursue legal action against individuals seeking or providing reproductive health care. Violations of these sharing restrictions could result in civil penalties of up to $1,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for subsequent offenses. The law applies to all reproductive health services, including pregnancy-related care, contraception, and abortion, and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by limiting law enforcement data sharing for reproductive health cases, enhancing police accountability and restricting overreach.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by preventing out-of-state data sharing for legal reproductive health services, safeguarding access to care.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects data privacy by restricting sharing of automated license plate reader information for reproductive health investigations, limiting surveillance overreach.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3760: Requires certain law enforcement officers be periodically vetted for evidence of personal bias.

This New Jersey bill requires police departments to conduct periodic bias checks on officers, including an initial screening upon hiring and follow-up evaluations every five years. The vetting process involves reviewing publicly available information for signs of prejudice based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics, as well as testing for explicit and implicit bias. Officers are also screened for affiliations with extremist groups, which the bill defines as organizations that use force or threats to advance ideological agendas rooted in bias or anti-government sentiment. The Attorney General will establish specific guidelines and procedures to implement these requirements across state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances police accountability through bias checks and vetting, promoting civil rights and criminal justice reform by reducing potential discriminatory policing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3757: Requires Attorney General to revise law enforcement use of force policy; implements certain reforms.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to update the state's law enforcement use of force policy, directly affecting all law enforcement agencies in the state. Key provisions mandate that officers prioritize deescalation and crisis intervention techniques, use force only when proportional to the threat, and follow clear guidelines for firearm use and reporting excessive force incidents. The policy must also include specific training requirements for vulnerable populations, procedures for investigating citizen complaints, and regular reviews to ensure fairness and accountability. The revised policy must be published within seven months of the bill's enactment and will take effect eight months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens law enforcement accountability through use of force policy reforms, deescalation training, and excessive force reporting requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SR 80: Urges New Jersey Supreme Court to study reasonableness of lowering court fees in civil asset forfeiture cases.

This Senate resolution asks the New Jersey Supreme Court to examine whether court fees in civil asset forfeiture cases are reasonable and should be reduced. It directly affects individuals whose property has been seized by law enforcement and who may struggle to afford the costs required to challenge those seizures. The bill cites reports that filing fees sometimes exceed the value of seized property, which can prevent people from defending their rights. It also requests the creation of uniform rules for how these cases are handled across different counties. The resolution does not change any laws but instead urges the state's highest court to study the issue and potentially recommend fee adjustments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to reduce court fees in civil asset forfeiture cases, protecting civil rights and enhancing fairness in law enforcement proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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