Criminal Justice

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

A 3511: Requires DOC to establish standards of habitability for prison housing units.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections to establish minimum living standards for all prison housing units, including disciplinary housing units known as Restorative Housing Units (RHUs). The standards must meet or exceed those set by the American Correctional Association. The DOC must adopt these rules through standard administrative procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act. The law would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires DOC to set prison habitability standards meeting ACA benchmarks, advancing correctional reform and inmate welfare standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 1736: Prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing mask or disguise while interacting with public.

This New Jersey bill (A 1736) prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing masks or disguises during public interactions while performing official duties. It directly affects all state, county, and municipal officers authorized to enforce laws, including federal officers working in New Jersey. Key exceptions include undercover operations, face shields not hiding the face, medical masks with a doctor's note, and smoke protection during emergencies. Violations are classified as disorderly persons offenses, punishable by fines up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits masked police interactions to enhance transparency and accountability during public encounters, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3447: Requires court to consider results of domestic violence assessment before dissolving certain domestic violence restraining orders.

This bill requires courts to consider the results of a domestic violence assessment before ending certain domestic violence restraining orders. It specifically applies when a defendant has two or more such orders in place, mandating they undergo a court-ordered assessment (paid for by the defendant) and have the assessment findings reviewed by the court. The court must weigh these findings alongside existing factors like the victim's safety concerns and the defendant's history of violations. The assessment results are treated as confidential information during the court's decision-making process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires court assessment before dissolving DV restraining orders, prioritizing victim safety and defendant history per criminal justice reform principles.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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

A 3170: Upgrades penalties for certain crimes committed during state of emergency.

This bill (A-3170) increases penalties for specific crimes committed during a declared state of emergency in New Jersey. It upgrades robbery, burglary, and unauthorized entry into buildings or facilities to higher criminal degrees (e.g., first or second degree instead of lower classifications) when these acts occur during an emergency. The key mechanism is amending statutes to automatically elevate sentencing levels for these offenses in emergency jurisdictions, affecting anyone committing such crimes during declared emergencies. The bill does not create new offenses but changes penalties for existing crimes under emergency conditions. It is currently pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee (introduced January 13, 2026).

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for crimes during emergencies by elevating offenses to higher degrees - aligns with tough-on-crime stance, not reform or protection of rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

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

AJR 89: Establishes "Autism and Developmental Disabilities Study Commission."

AJR 89 establishes the "Autism and Developmental Disabilities Study Commission" to examine how hospitals, law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts train staff to interact with people with autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities. The commission, composed of seven members (including two state agency heads and appointments from legislative leaders and the governor), must study current training practices and submit a report within one year of its formation. It will not make policy changes but will recommend potential improvements to state agencies and lawmakers. The commission dissolves 30 days after submitting its final report to the Governor and Legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill examines law enforcement/court training for disability interactions, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to enhance accountability and protect civil rights in system interactions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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

A 298: Broadens riot and disorderly conduct; enhances penalties for public monument destruction; addresses riot victim assaults; creates crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly.

This New Jersey bill (A 298) expands definitions of riot and disorderly conduct, increasing penalties for related offenses. It makes it a third-degree crime to participate in riots involving weapons or causing property damage/injury (previously fourth-degree), and creates a new fourth-degree crime for desecrating public monuments during riots. The bill also enhances penalties for assaulting specific protected groups, including police, firefighters, school staff, and emergency medical personnel, during riot-related incidents. It directly affects individuals engaging in violent assemblies, damaging public monuments, or attacking designated personnel during such events.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminal definitions, increases penalties for riots/assaults on officers, creates new offenses - strengthens punitive measures over reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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

A 4394: Eliminates presumption of non-imprisonment for theft of a firearm.

This bill removes a legal presumption that would have prevented prison sentences for first-time offenders convicted of stealing a firearm. Currently, New Jersey law presumes non-imprisonment for first offenses of third-degree theft of a firearm, but this bill eliminates that rule. Now, judges may impose prison sentences for first-time firearm theft without that automatic restriction. The change directly affects individuals convicted of stealing a firearm for the first time in New Jersey.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves presumption preventing prison for first-time firearm theft, increasing sentencing severity and reducing defendant rights per criminal justice indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

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

A 1381: Broadens statute that criminalizes cyber-harassment of minor.

This bill (A1381) proposes to expand New Jersey's cyber-harassment law to make it a more serious offense when an adult (18 or older) harasses a minor online, removing the previous requirement that the offender must impersonate a minor. The key change clarifies that targeting minors online with threats, lewd content, or criminal threats becomes a third-degree crime (with potential 3-5 year prison time), while other cyber-harassment remains a less severe fourth-degree offense. It also requires courts to order minors convicted of cyber-harassment to complete educational programs about online safety, and imposes fines on parents who fail to ensure their minor complies with these court orders. The bill aims to strengthen protections for minors by broadening criminal penalties and adding accountability for both offenders and parents.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of online harassment targeting minors, elevating to third-degree offense with 3-5 year prison term, increasing penalties.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens legal protections for minors against online harassment, addressing digital rights within technology policy without regulating tech companies.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Online Safety

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SCR 90: Establishes "Joint Committee on Human Trafficking."

SCR 90 establishes a new Joint Committee on Human Trafficking in New Jersey, composed of six legislators (three from the Senate appointed by the Senate President, three from the Assembly appointed by the Speaker). The committee’s role is to assess the state’s current human trafficking programs, consult with agencies like the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Unit and academic experts, and identify improvements to make these efforts more effective. It must hold public meetings, document its work, and submit an annual report with recommendations to legislative leaders and relevant committees. This resolution does not create new laws but creates a structured process for studying and improving existing anti-trafficking initiatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes committee to assess and improve human trafficking programs, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like enhancing victim protection and interagency coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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

A 4290: Establishes right to record law enforcement activity under certain circumstances.

This bill, the "New Jerseyans’ Right to Monitor Act," grants New Jersey residents the right to record law enforcement officers performing their duties - such as traffic stops or patrols - as long as the person is not under arrest or in custody. It prohibits police from interfering with this recording, including threatening, stopping, seizing equipment, or arresting someone solely for recording. Individuals who face such interference can sue for damages, including attorney fees, and the law explicitly states this right does not replace existing constitutional protections. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeGrants right to record police activity without interference, promoting transparency and accountability in law enforcement, a key criminal justice reform indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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