Criminal Justice (Policing) in New Jersey

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

A 3444: Requires correctional police officers to wear body worn cameras and security camera systems to be installed in State correctional facilities.

New Jersey's proposed Bill A 3444 requires all correctional police officers in state prisons to wear body cameras during most duties, with limited exceptions (such as restroom use, medical appointments, or strip searches). It also mandates security camera systems in correctional facilities. Recordings must be retained for a minimum of 180 days, with extended retention (up to three years) if a complaint is filed, an officer requests it for evidentiary value, or the footage relates to an investigation. The bill applies directly to correctional officers and facilities, aiming to document officer activities and incidents like use of force or disciplinary actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Policing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3673: Expands "Body Armor Replacement Fund" eligibility.

This bill expands eligibility for grants from New Jersey's "Body Armor Replacement Fund" to include any state department or agency that appoints law enforcement officers. Currently, funds support local police, State Police, Criminal Justice, courts, and corrections. The bill allows the Attorney General to provide grants to additional agencies like the Department of Environmental Protection for conservation officers and State Park Police. It maintains the five-year vest replacement cycle and $75,000 annual administrative funding limit, while clarifying that probation officer funding is capped at 200 recipients.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Probation & Parole

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

A 2956: Clarifies that chief of police or Superintendent of State Police has burden of proving applicant's disqualification for permit to purchase handgun or firearms purchaser identification card.

This bill changes the process for denying firearm permits in New Jersey. It requires the chief of police or State Police superintendent to prove an applicant meets one of the disqualification reasons (like a criminal conviction or domestic violence offense) if their permit to purchase a handgun or firearms purchaser ID card is denied. Previously, applicants may have had to prove they didn't qualify for denial. The bill does not change the list of disqualifying conditions but shifts the burden of proof to the issuing authority. This directly affects individuals whose applications are rejected for firearm permits or ID cards.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms Policing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4241: Requires police misconduct training course be included in police basic training curriculum.

New Jersey's A4241 requires all new police officers to complete a mandatory training course on misconduct as part of their basic training curriculum. The course uses real examples of excessive force incidents, particularly involving unarmed people of color, to teach ethical conduct and accountability. It covers how smartphones document misconduct, the duty to intervene during misconduct, and the consequences of poor policing on community trust. This training aims to prevent future incidents by educating recruits on accountability and the impact of misconduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 1621: Prohibits disclosure of body worn camera recordings under certain circumstances.

This New Jersey bill (A1621) prohibits non-subjects who obtained body-worn camera recordings through public records access from sharing them without the written consent of every person visibly involved in the recording (e.g., suspects, victims, or detainees). Exceptions allow disclosure for public health/safety emergencies or compelling public interest. Violations carry penalties including a minimum $1,000 fine per violation, civil lawsuits for damages, and potential punitive damages for intentional violations. The bill specifically aims to prevent exploitation of recordings shared online, such as instances where young women were targeted after being recorded during police encounters. It defines "subject" to exclude people who only appear incidentally in the footage.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Policing

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

A 460: Allows person on police officer or firefighter eligible list who is unable to complete requirements for employment due to certain military service to have name placed on subsequent eligible list.

This bill helps National Guard and Reserve members who passed police or firefighter civil service exams but couldn't start jobs due to military service. If they served 30+ consecutive days after September 11, 2001, during specified military operations (including Operation Enduring Freedom and Freedom’s Sentinel), their name moves to the next eligible hiring list for the same job type. It also extends age eligibility - those who met age requirements when the exam closed are considered eligible when their name is added to the new list. The bill applies only to those whose military service prevented completing employment requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Policing Public Employees National Guard & Reserve Veteran Employment

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

A 1411: Requires firearm retailers to provide disclosure of customer's responsibility to report stolen or lost firearms; advises customers it is unlawful to purchase firearms with intent to sell to disqualified persons.

New Jersey's A1411 requires firearm retailers to provide customers with a written disclosure at the point of sale. This disclosure informs buyers they must report lost or stolen firearms within 36 hours to local law enforcement or state police, and warns that purchasing firearms with intent to resell to ineligible buyers is illegal. Retailers must have customers sign and keep copies of this disclosure for 15 years, and post the same notice visibly at all sales counters. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat violations, with collected fines funding gun violence prevention efforts.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 3784: Provides accidental death benefit to surviving spouse, surviving child, or surviving parent of a State Police recruit who dies during required pre-service training.

This bill expands accidental death benefits under New Jersey's State Police Retirement System to cover recruits who die during required pre-service training at the academy or from related complications. It directly affects surviving spouses, children, or parents of such recruits by reclassifying these deaths as "in the line of duty" for benefit purposes. Key provisions set a minimum $50,000 benefit for surviving spouses, with calculated amounts for children or parents if no spouse exists (e.g., 70% of final compensation for children, 25-40% for parents). The law also allows retroactive payments for past deaths, with survivors having 12 months from enactment to apply. Current law previously excluded recruits since they weren't sworn officers during training.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Policing

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1325: Requires AG to establish training program for crowd management and provide resources to municipal police department or force for large gatherings and flash mobs.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create a training program for municipal police departments to manage large gatherings (over 500 people) and "flash mobs" (50+ people organized via social media without advance notice, impacting safety). The training covers crowd control techniques, juvenile-specific approaches, social media response strategies, and inter-agency coordination. It also establishes protocols allowing local police to request state resources like mobile command units, social media monitoring tools, and additional personnel during such events. The bill, now effective as part of P.L.2025, c.246, directly affects municipal police departments across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Policing

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

A 1895: Requires training for constables.

This New Jersey bill requires all constables to complete approved training within six months of appointment. Existing constables appointed before the bill's effective date must complete the training within one year. The training covers motor vehicle offenses, traffic duties, spectator control, and professional development, as outlined in the amended statute. The Police Training Commission oversees approved training schools and ensures compliance with these requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

All criminal justice bills