Criminal Justice

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

A 296: Increases penalties for human trafficking of children.

This bill (A 296) increases penalties for human trafficking involving children under 18 in New Jersey. It expands the definition of human trafficking to cover all forms of child exploitation (both sexual and labor), not just sexual activity. Offenders face mandatory life imprisonment without parole, a $25,000 fine (funded to a victim assistance program), and restitution based on the victim’s labor value. The law directly affects individuals convicted of trafficking children, replacing current penalties that allowed parole eligibility after 20 years. This change applies to all child trafficking offenses, regardless of whether the perpetrator mistakenly believed the child was 18 or older.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory life sentences for child trafficking, expanding criminalization and harsher penalties per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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

A 1355: Expands scope of law enforcement sexual assault training; codifies certain responsibilities of county sexual violence programs and rape care advocates.

This bill (A1355) requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to complete trauma-informed training every three years on handling sexual assault cases, covering topics like trauma impact, victim communication, and evidence collection. It mandates that healthcare facilities and police inform all sexual assault victims about county sexual violence program services - including rape care advocates - before medical exams or statements are taken. The bill also codifies that victims can request advocates to accompany them during medical exams, law enforcement interviews, and court proceedings, and specifies advocates must provide confidential support, counseling, and resource referrals. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, sexual assault victims, and county sexual violence programs by standardizing victim support and officer training.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates trauma-informed law enforcement training for sexual assault cases and ensures victims access to support services, promoting victim-centered criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 2125: Expands categories of individuals who may bring a claim under wrongful imprisonment statute.

This bill (A 2125) expands New Jersey's wrongful imprisonment statute to include individuals mistakenly convicted of a crime and later civilly committed as a "sexually violent predator" under P.L.1998, c.71. It allows these claimants to sue the state for damages if they prove, by clear and convincing evidence, they did not commit the crime and did not cause their conviction through misconduct. Damages would be calculated as either twice their pre-incarceration income or $50,000 per year of imprisonment (plus $25,000 per year of post-release supervision), with possible non-monetary relief like vocational training. Claimants must file within two years of release, conviction vacating, or pardon. The bill is pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands wrongful imprisonment claims to include civilly committed individuals, allowing compensation for state errors - aligns with civil rights protection and reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 3388: Permits court to order counseling for children in households with domestic violence in appropriate cases; establishes presumption of award of custody to domestic violence victim in appropriate cases.

This New Jersey bill (A 3388) creates a legal presumption that custody of children should be awarded to a domestic violence victim in appropriate cases, shifting the default in family court custody decisions when abuse is proven. It requires courts to order counseling for children in households affected by domestic violence and mandates that victims and abusers be informed about available counseling services immediately upon filing a complaint. Key mechanisms include waiving residency requirements for filing complaints, streamlining emergency protective orders (including firearm safety measures), and ensuring courts provide clear information about services. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims, their children, and family court proceedings handling custody disputes involving abuse.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes presumption of custody to domestic violence victims and mandates counseling, directly protecting victims and addressing root causes of violence - aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing safety and promoting rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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

A 3702: Criminalizes owner or landlord knowingly renting dwelling to tenant that is illegal occupancy which causes serious bodily injury to or death of another person.

This New Jersey bill (A 3702) makes it a fourth-degree crime for a landlord or property owner to knowingly rent a dwelling that qualifies as "illegal occupancy" (violating housing codes, zoning, or health/safety regulations) when that rental causes serious bodily injury or death to another person. Landlords convicted face up to 18 months in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both. The bill does not replace existing civil penalties for illegal occupancy but adds criminal liability specifically when harm occurs. It directly affects landlords who rent unsafe properties they knowingly allow to remain non-compliant.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates criminal liability for landlords causing injury/death via illegal occupancy, imposing penalties to enhance public safety and accountability, aligning with criminal justice goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 1215: Expands crime of human trafficking to include individuals who benefit financially.

This bill expands New Jersey's human trafficking law to include individuals who profit financially from trafficking schemes, even if they aren't organizers, supervisors, financiers, or managers. It directly affects people who receive money or other benefits from trafficking activities, such as business owners who exploit victims or third parties facilitating exploitation. The key change adds a new subsection defining human trafficking to cover "receiving anything of value" from trafficking, while maintaining a 20-year minimum prison term and requiring restitution to victims based on their labor value. This makes it a crime to profit from trafficking without needing to prove a formal leadership role in the scheme.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands human trafficking law to prosecute financial beneficiaries, strengthening enforcement against exploitation and closing loopholes in criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill targets financial beneficiaries of human trafficking, directly protecting workers from exploitation and strengthening labor rights by criminalizing profit from forced labor schemes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

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

A 3044: Establishes strict liability criminal penalties for minor's access to loaded firearm if access results in bodily injury or death.

This bill (A-3044) makes it a criminal offense for a person who improperly stores a loaded firearm at their premises to be automatically liable for criminal penalties if a minor accesses it and causes injury or death. It increases penalties based on severity: a third-degree crime for bodily injury, second-degree for serious injury, and first-degree for death. The law applies to anyone in control of premises where a minor (now defined as under age 18, up from 16) gains access to an improperly stored firearm. It does not change current storage requirements (e.g., locked container, trigger lock) but escalates consequences when injury or death occurs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates strict liability for improper firearm storage causing minor injury/death, increasing penalties (third to first degree) and expanding criminalization, opposing reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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

A 294: Establishes third degree crime of gang assault.

This New Jersey bill (A 294) creates a new third-degree crime called "gang assault." It applies when a person, aided by two or more others actually present, intentionally causes physical harm (like pain, illness, or injury) to someone else. The law defines "bodily injury" as physical pain, illness, or impairment of physical condition. Violating this law carries a penalty of 3-5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. The bill is modeled after similar New York law and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new third-degree crime with 3-5 year prison sentence, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per bill's explicit provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

AJR 75: Designates last week of April of each year as "Reentry Week."

AJR 75 designates the last week of April each year as "Reentry Week" to raise public awareness about challenges formerly incarcerated individuals face, including finding housing, jobs, healthcare, and reconnecting with families. The resolution encourages state agencies, organizations, and the public to support reentry efforts through activities during this designated week. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of ongoing reentry support initiatives. This is a procedural resolution with no direct policy changes or new obligations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDesignates Reentry Week to promote awareness of reintegration challenges (housing, jobs, healthcare), aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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

ACR 20: Urges Congress to enact H.R.128 directing treatment of illicit fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction.

This New Jersey concurrent resolution (ACR 20) urges Congress to pass H.R.128, which would direct the Department of Homeland Security to treat illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction under existing federal law. It specifically targets illegal fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking networks, not medical or legal uses of fentanyl. The bill aligns with a prior House resolution (H.Res.1172) arguing this classification would strengthen efforts to disrupt international fentanyl trafficking. The resolution does not change current medical fentanyl regulations or harm reduction programs. It is a state-level request for federal legislative action, not a binding law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies illicit fentanyl trafficking as weapon of mass destruction, expanding criminalization and enabling harsher penalties under federal law.85% confidence

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