Criminal Justice

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

A 1004: Imposes additional curriculum for Intoxicated Driving Program; requires participation by offenders convicted of, or initially charged with DWI.

This bill requires individuals convicted of or initially charged with DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) in New Jersey to complete a program at Intoxicated Driver Resource Centers, involving 12 to 48 hours of participation over two consecutive days. It mandates that offenders install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle to regain driving privileges, with the requirement to be met within a specified period after conviction. The bill sets penalties for first offenses based on blood alcohol concentration, including fines ranging from $250 to $500 and program participation, depending on the level of intoxication.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates DWI offender programs and ignition interlocks to reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of prevention and accountability.85% confidence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3274: Establishes "Task Force on Scams and Fraud."

This bill establishes a 15-member "Task Force on Scams and Fraud" within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety. The task force will study scams targeting residents - particularly seniors and vulnerable populations - review current fraud prevention efforts, and develop recommendations to improve coordination between government, law enforcement, and businesses. It must submit a final report with findings and suggestions to the Governor and Legislature within one year of formation, after which the task force will expire. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents by creating a structured process to address scam-related harms through a cross-sector working group.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates task force to study scams targeting seniors and improve fraud prevention coordination between law enforcement and government, strengthening criminal justice efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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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 529: Repeals "Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act."

This bill repeals New Jersey's 2019 "Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act" (P.L.2019, c.59), which allowed terminally ill patients to access physician-assisted medication under strict safeguards. By repealing sections 1-26 of that law, the bill removes the legal exception that previously protected healthcare providers and patients from criminal prosecution under N.J.S.2C:11-6 (aiding suicide) when following the act's procedures. The repeal means aiding suicide would again be punishable as a crime under state law, directly affecting terminally ill patients who could previously seek this option and healthcare providers who followed the repealed act's requirements. The change takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals exception protecting physician-assisted dying from aiding suicide prosecution, expanding criminalization under N.J.S.2C:11-6 and removing legal safeguards.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRepeals law allowing physician-assisted dying, restricting patient access to end-of-life care under New Jersey's medical aid in dying act.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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