Criminal Justice (Victims' Rights)

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

A 1910: Makes various changes to address sexual assault and child abuse and neglect involving military personnel; addresses protection, penalties, enforcement, jurisdiction, and victim compensation matters.

This New Jersey bill updates protections for military personnel who are victims of sexual assault, child abuse, or neglect. It allows service members (including National Guard and Reserve members) to file for protective orders in any New Jersey court, regardless of where the incident occurred. The bill also removes fees for applicants, clarifies procedures for minors and victims with disabilities, and specifies that military protective orders can be used to initiate state court applications. It directly affects military victims and streamlines access to legal protections without requiring criminal charges first.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens victim protections for military personnel in sexual assault/abuse cases by removing fees, expanding court access, and clarifying procedures - advancing criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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

A 2065: Increases amount of credit for incarceration resulting from default of court-imposed financial obligation or motor vehicle penalty.

This bill increases the daily credit for incarceration toward unpaid court debts from $50 to $90 per day. It directly affects individuals who default on court-imposed financial obligations, including fines, fees, restitution, or child support payments. The key provision amends New Jersey law to provide greater credit for each day served in jail due to nonpayment, reducing the total amount owed more quickly. This change applies to cases where incarceration results from failure to pay court-ordered financial obligations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases daily credit for jail time due to unpaid court debts, reducing incarceration duration for nonpayment - a key criminal justice reform addressing debt-based incarceration and promoting fairness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Victims' Rights

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

A 2168: Requires AG to establish public awareness campaign concerning Crime Victim's Bill of Rights and VCCO.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create a public awareness campaign about the Crime Victim's Bill of Rights and the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO). The campaign must include community outreach, training for agencies, and public information about VCCO services - such as eligible crimes, required claim documents, filing deadlines, and available benefits. It directly affects crime victims, their families, and organizations that serve them by making compensation resources more accessible. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment, aiming to increase understanding of victims' rights and support systems.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates public awareness for Crime Victim's Bill of Rights and VCCO services, supporting victim access to justice resources within criminal justice system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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

A 3232: Restricts genetic testing of newborn and crime victim DNA; permits DNA information to be obtained pursuant to warrant or court order.

This bill requires explicit permission (informed consent) before obtaining genetic information from DNA samples, directly affecting individuals, newborns, crime victims, and witnesses. Exceptions include law enforcement using DNA for criminal investigations (with strict limits on victim/witness DNA), existing newborn screening programs, paternity cases, and DNA database submissions. It also restricts sharing genetic data without consent, except in specific legal circumstances like court orders, criminal proceedings, or federal identification purposes. Additionally, it mandates that individuals must be notified when genetic testing occurs and outlines new regulations for consent procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires informed consent for DNA collection, protecting civil rights of individuals (newborns, crime victims) within criminal justice system, aligning with reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires informed consent for genetic testing, protecting patient rights in healthcare services like newborn screening.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires informed consent for genetic data collection and restricts unauthorized sharing, directly protecting genetic data privacy under technology policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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

A 340: Requires order of restitution to child of parent or guardian killed by drunk driver.

This bill (A 340) requires courts to order restitution payments to children who lose a parent or guardian due to a drunk driving incident. It amends New Jersey's vehicular homicide law (N.J.S.2C:11-5) to mandate that when a defendant is convicted of reckless vehicular homicide while driving under the influence (violating N.J.S.39:4-50), the court must order restitution to the child victim. The restitution covers financial losses resulting from the death and is part of the sentencing process, alongside other penalties like license suspension and imprisonment. The bill directly affects children of victims and drunk drivers convicted under these provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates restitution to child victims of drunk driving, enhancing victim compensation within sentencing process.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Victims' Rights

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

A 2169: Makes supplemental appropriation of $750,000 to Department of Law and Public Safety for public awareness campaign of victims' rights and VCCO assistance.

This bill allocates $750,000 from the General Fund to the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) for a public awareness campaign. The campaign will inform crime victims about their rights under the Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights and available VCCO services, including compensation assistance. The funds are a supplemental appropriation added to the existing 2023 budget for the Department of Law and Public Safety. (Procedural bill; no new laws enacted.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $750k supplemental funding for victim services awareness campaign, advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds public awareness campaign for victims' rights under Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights, strengthening victim support within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Victims' Rights

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

A 3519: Establishes mitigating factor for sentencing of defendants who are victims of domestic violence and provides for resentencing and trauma-informed reentry support services.

This bill (A 3519) amends New Jersey's sentencing law (N.J.S.A. 2C:44-1) to establish domestic violence victim status as a specific mitigating factor in criminal sentencing. It directly affects defendants who were victims of domestic violence (defined as abuse from a current/future spouse, household member, person with shared children, or dating partner) and whose abuse contributed to their criminal behavior. Key provisions require courts to consider this factor during sentencing, provide trauma-informed reentry support services for affected individuals, and allow for resentencing in cases where this factor was not previously considered. The bill aims to address how the justice system handles cases where domestic violence was a contributing factor to criminal conduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes domestic violence victim status as sentencing mitigator, promoting trauma-informed justice and reducing punitive measures for affected defendants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Victims' Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3345: Authorizes funding to protect safety of cooperating witnesses; expands Crime Victim's Bill of Rights to provide these witnesses with certain guarantees.

This bill, S 3345, authorizes state funding to cover relocation expenses and safety costs for people who help police by testifying in court (including confidential informants). It directly affects cooperating witnesses who face threats due to their involvement in criminal cases. The bill adds specific protections to New Jersey’s Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights, guaranteeing these witnesses "protection from harm and threats of harm arising out of their cooperation" with law enforcement. Key mechanisms include requiring the Victims of Crime Compensation Office to fund relocation and safety measures, and explicitly listing safety protection as a right under the existing bill.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds witness safety protections under Crime Victim's Bill of Rights, ensuring cooperating witnesses face no harm for aiding criminal investigations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Victims' Rights

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

A 598: Concerns victim's right to rape care advocate under certain circumstances.

This New Jersey bill (A-598) ensures victims of sexual assault have the right to a rape care advocate during medical and legal processes. It requires law enforcement officers and medical providers to immediately notify designated rape crisis centers (county organizations under state contract) whenever a sexual offense is reported. Victims must be informed of their right to have an advocate present and consult with them before and during medical exams, police interviews, and legal proceedings. The bill directly affects all sexual assault victims 12+ in New Jersey, establishing clear notification protocols to support their access to counseling and advocacy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates victim access to rape care advocates during legal/medical processes, strengthening victim protections in criminal justice system per reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures victims access to rape care advocates during medical exams, protecting patient rights and improving access to healthcare services in trauma response.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Victims' Rights

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

A 3360: Requires drunk driver to pay restitution on behalf of child if parent or guardian is killed by that driver.

This bill (A3360) would require a driver convicted of reckless vehicular homicide while violating New Jersey's DUI laws (R.S.39:4-50) to pay restitution to a minor child if the victim was the child's parent or guardian. It specifically targets cases where drunk driving causes a parent's death, mandating the offender compensate the child for their loss. The restitution would be in addition to any criminal penalties or civil damages. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates restitution for child victims of drunk driving homicides, enhancing victim accountability within criminal sentencing without altering core penalties or reforming systemic issues.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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