Criminal Justice (Corrections) in New Jersey

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

A 621: Establishes limits on future parole eligibility date.

This bill limits parole boards to setting future parole reconsideration dates no more than three years after an inmate is denied release. It applies to adult inmates denied parole at their initial eligibility date. The law prevents indefinite delays by requiring boards to schedule the next hearing within three years, though they may consider offense severity and criminal history when setting the date. It clarifies that good behavior credits do not shorten this three-year period. This replaces current practice where boards could set longer delays.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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 Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

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 Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

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 Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Victims' Rights

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

A 699: Establishes bribery in official and political matters applies to person soliciting, accepting, or agreeing to accept benefit as consideration to act even though not yet in office or otherwise qualified to act.

This bill amends New Jersey's bribery statute to criminalize offering, accepting, or agreeing to accept benefits as consideration for future official actions - even before someone takes office. It directly affects candidates for public office and individuals seeking political positions, prohibiting them from soliciting or accepting benefits (like campaign contributions) in exchange for future decisions or favors. The law explicitly excludes general campaign activities, speeches, or lawful contributions under campaign finance laws, focusing only on direct quid pro quo arrangements. Violations are classified as second-degree crimes (up to 10 years in prison), or third-degree if the benefit is $200 or less.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 2065: Increases amount of credit for incarceration resulting from default of court-imposed financial obligation or motor vehicle penalty.

This bill increases the daily credit for incarceration toward unpaid court debts from $50 to $90 per day. It directly affects individuals who default on court-imposed financial obligations, including fines, fees, restitution, or child support payments. The key provision amends New Jersey law to provide greater credit for each day served in jail due to nonpayment, reducing the total amount owed more quickly. This change applies to cases where incarceration results from failure to pay court-ordered financial obligations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Victims' Rights

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

A 1770: Requires Special Investigations Division to issue monthly report on sexual abuse in State correctional facilities.

This bill requires New Jersey's correctional facilities' Special Investigations Division to submit two types of reports to the Department of Corrections and facility administrators: (1) an executive summary of any inmate sexual abuse complaint within 48 hours of receipt, and (2) a monthly report by the 10th day summarizing all sexual assault investigations from the prior month, including status updates for ongoing cases. It directly affects correctional facilities and their investigations teams by mandating faster, more transparent reporting on inmate sexual abuse allegations. The key mechanism is establishing strict deadlines for both initial complaint summaries and monthly comprehensive updates to improve accountability. This procedural bill focuses on reporting requirements, not on changing penalties or creating new legal standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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

A 2172: Increases size of Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission; broadens reporting duties.

This bill increases the size of New Jersey's Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission from 13 to 17 members and expands its reporting requirements. The commission now includes additional public members appointed by legislative leaders and the governor, with specific instructions to seek diverse expertise in criminal justice fields. It must review sentencing laws to address racial and ethnic disparities throughout the criminal justice process - including policing, charging, and sentencing - and make recommendations on sentencing options, judicial discretion, and alternatives to incarceration. These changes directly affect the commission's structure and its role in shaping New Jersey's criminal justice policies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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

A 4291: Requires DOC to provide reunification therapy to inmates and immediate family members prior to inmate's release.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections (DOC) to offer reunification therapy sessions to inmates scheduled for release within six months, and to inform those with nine months until release about this option. The therapy sessions must involve the inmate participating virtually while immediate family members attend in person at approved locations like mental health provider offices or nonprofit reentry centers. If family members decline to participate, the DOC must still provide individual counseling to the inmate. The bill also mandates DOC to seek supplemental funding from private or federal sources and provide inmates with information about post-release support programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Mental Health

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 Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

All criminal justice bills