Criminal Justice

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

A 3510: Requires DOC to report incidents of suicide and self-harm among inmates housed in prison Restorative Housing Units.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections (DOC) to publicly report incidents of suicide and self-harm among inmates housed in Restorative Housing Units (RHUs). RHUs are disciplinary housing units where inmates are separated from general population, and the bill mandates quarterly public reports (without personal identifiers) detailing these incidents alongside data on inmate demographics and confinement types. The reports must include non-duplicative annual counts of self-harm, suicide, and emergency confinement in RHUs across all facilities. This is a transparency measure focused on data collection, not policy changes to RHU operations. The bill aligns with a 2024 recommendation from the Corrections Ombudsperson.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates public reporting on inmate self-harm in disciplinary units, enhancing transparency and accountability in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 957: Authorizes counties to establish diversionary program for juveniles to attend New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy.

This bill allows New Jersey counties to create diversion programs for certain first-time juvenile offenders. Eligible juveniles charged with petty disorderly persons offenses, disorderly persons offenses, fourth-degree crimes, or third-degree crimes (excluding drug offenses) may be referred to the New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy instead of facing criminal charges. If they successfully complete the academy program, the charges against them are dismissed. The program requires juveniles to meet specific academy eligibility criteria, such as being a high school dropout and unemployed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDiverts juvenile offenders to rehabilitation program instead of criminal charges, reducing recidivism and aligning with reform goals of alternatives to incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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

A 1756: Requires DOC to ensure inmates have opportunity to participate in Medicaid pre-enrollment and enrollment sessions at least 60 days prior to release; requires applicable inmates to receive Medicaid card at release.

This bill requires New Jersey state and county correctional facilities to help inmates prepare for Medicaid coverage before release. Specifically, it mandates a peer-led session at least 60 days prior to release explaining Medicaid benefits and application options, followed by a dedicated enrollment session within five days to assist with completing applications. Facilities must also ensure inmates receive Medicaid eligibility notifications and physical Medicaid cards at the time of release if approved. The policy does not change Medicaid eligibility standards but aims to streamline access to healthcare for returning individuals by addressing enrollment barriers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires Medicaid enrollment support for inmates pre-release, reducing barriers to healthcare and social services - key to reducing recidivism and supporting reentry programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid enrollment assistance for inmates pre-release, expanding healthcare access for a vulnerable population transitioning from incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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

A 766: Removes municipal authority to charge application fee for representation by municipal public defender.

This bill repeals a law allowing New Jersey municipalities to charge up to $200 for applying to a public defender. It would eliminate the fee entirely, directly affecting individuals seeking public defense services who might otherwise face this financial barrier. Currently, courts could waive such fees, but this bill removes that authority by deleting the fee provision. The legislation aims to remove financial obstacles to accessing public defenders, aligning with the Sixth Amendment right to counsel.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates $200 application fee for public defenders, removing financial barriers to Sixth Amendment right to counsel and advancing access to legal representation.95% confidence

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

A 3742: Limits use of restrictions on telephone calls as discipline measure during incarceration.

This New Jersey bill (A 3742) limits how correctional facilities can suspend phone calls as punishment for incarcerated people. It requires facilities to allow at least one phone call every two weeks during a suspension, caps suspensions at 90 days consecutively or 180 days yearly, and prohibits suspensions in the final 60 days before release. The bill also bans suspensions for those in "Restorative Housing Units" and mandates that facilities notify emergency contacts when calls are restricted. It directly affects incarcerated individuals and their families by ensuring more consistent communication access while incarcerated.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill limits punitive phone call suspensions in corrections, mandates family contact during incarceration, and prohibits suspensions near release - aligning with rehabilitation-focused reform to reduce recidivism and protect incarcerated individual...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 2823: Establishes "Internet Predator Investigation and Prosecution Fund" with $200 assessment on persons convicted of certain offenses.

This bill creates a permanent "Internet Predator Investigation and Prosecution Fund" in New Jersey's Department of Treasury. It requires a $200 fee from individuals convicted of specific sex offenses (including certain computer-related crimes under C.2C:20-25) to fund the program. The money will be used to provide grants to county prosecutors for training and equipment to investigate and prosecute online sex crimes. The fund replaces previous collection methods for these fees, directing all payments to the new account.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates $200 assessment on sex offenders to fund law enforcement program, directly allocating revenue for public safety spending within budget framework.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds law enforcement prosecution of online sex crimes via offender fees, strengthening investigative capabilities in criminal justice.95% confidence

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

A 3712: Requires Attorney General to establish model duty-to-intervene policy for law enforcement officers; requires entities that employ law enforcement officers to adopt duty-to-intervene policy.

This New Jersey bill (A3712) requires all law enforcement agencies to adopt a mandatory "duty-to-intervene" policy. The policy compels officers to stop colleagues from committing unjustified force, civil rights violations, or other criminal acts during duty. Agencies must either use the Attorney General’s model policy or get approval for a comparable one, and report all intervention incidents quarterly to the Attorney General. Failure to intervene could result in disciplinary action under the policy. The law aims to create standardized accountability for officer conduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to intervene in misconduct, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 2946: "Iryna's Law"; establishes process for evaluating certain defendants in need of involuntary commitment in lieu of pretrial detention; establishes aggravating factor for offense committed in certain public places.

Iryna's Law (A 2946) creates a process for prosecutors to request mental health screenings for eligible defendants with mental illness who pose a danger to self or others, potentially avoiding pretrial jail detention. It allows prosecutors to file motions after arrest to immediately transport such defendants to a screening service, which determines if they need involuntary mental health treatment instead of pretrial detention. The law applies to defendants not previously involuntarily committed within the past three years and establishes an aggravating factor for offenses committed in certain public places. This directly affects defendants facing charges who may qualify for mental health evaluation rather than standard pretrial detention. The bill amends New Jersey's pretrial release and sentencing statutes to prioritize mental health assessment for specific cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects mentally ill defendants to treatment instead of pretrial detention, aligning with reform goals by addressing mental health needs and reducing unnecessary incarceration.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health screening process to divert defendants to treatment instead of jail, advancing access to mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Mental Health

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

A 932: Establishes standards for domestic violence counseling and creates "Abuse Intervention Program Advisory Committee."

This bill amends New Jersey's domestic violence restraining order procedures to strengthen protections for victims. It requires courts to hold hearings within 10 days, apply a standard where the victim must show abuse is more likely than not, and consider factors like past abuse and immediate safety risks. The bill mandates that restraining orders prohibit defendants from possessing firearms and require immediate surrender of weapons, while also allowing courts to order monetary compensation for victims' losses - including counseling costs, property damage, and other expenses. These changes directly affect victims and defendants in domestic violence cases by clarifying court procedures and enhancing safety measures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens victim protections via faster hearings, firearm bans, and court oversight in domestic violence cases, advancing criminal justice reform priorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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

A 2643: Bars public entities and public employees from entering into confidential settlements of claims against them; provides that such settlements constitute public records.

New Jersey bill A2643 prohibits government agencies (like cities, counties, or school districts) and public employees (such as police officers or teachers) from agreeing to confidential settlements in legal claims against them, except for cases involving national security. All such settlements must be made public records under the state's open records laws. The bill specifically preserves existing protections that keep the identities of child abuse or sexual assault victims under 18 confidential in court documents. This change aims to increase transparency in how public funds are used to resolve claims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates public disclosure of settlements involving law enforcement, increasing transparency and accountability in police conduct cases, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Violent Crime Tags Government Transparency

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