Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3531: Prohibits disclosure of certain information of probation officers.

This bill prohibits the disclosure of certain confidential information related to probation officers under specific circumstances. It amends existing state law to clarify what types of records are considered confidential, including legislative communications, medical examiner photographs of deceased persons, criminal investigatory records, and specific drug-related criminal records. The law also protects victims' records while allowing victims access to their own files. These changes aim to restrict public access to sensitive information held by government agencies and law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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

A 4363: Creates "Punishing Rioters and Protecting Communities Act," broadens riot; enhances penalties certain riot-related criminal penalties; creates crimes of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication; establishes duty in municipality to permit law enforcement to respond appropriately.

The "Punishing Rioters and Protecting Communities Act" (A4363) amends New Jersey's riot laws to increase penalties for violent public disturbances and create two new offenses. It raises penalties for riots involving firearms or deadly weapons (to a third-degree crime) and creates aggravated riot offenses (second-degree crime) for incidents causing serious injury, property damage over $5,000, or threats to vehicle safety. The bill also establishes new crimes for "mob intimidation" (threatening violence in group settings) and "cyber-intimidation by publication" (online intimidation), while requiring municipalities to permit appropriate law enforcement responses to riots. These changes directly affect individuals committing riot-related acts, law enforcement, and local governments managing public safety.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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

A 1643: Requires employers to report certain allegations of sexual assault.

This bill requires employers in New Jersey to report alleged sexual assaults involving consumers or employees to local law enforcement or county prosecutors within 24 hours. Employers who fail to report face a $10,000 civil penalty. The law also mandates that county prosecutors appoint a Sexual Assault Response Team advocate to inform victims about available services - including medical care, counseling, and legal options - during the employer’s investigation. It directly affects all employers (including corporations, partnerships, and supervisors) and ensures victims receive support while clarifying that employers may still conduct internal investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 25, 2026

A 4071: Codifies AG directive, "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities."

This bill codifies New Jersey's Attorney General's "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities" directive into law. It directly affects all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officers by prohibiting them from: (1) stopping or detaining people based solely on immigration status, (2) asking about immigration status except during specific criminal investigations, and (3) sharing personal information with federal immigration authorities for immigration enforcement purposes. The law clarifies that officers' primary duty is enforcing state criminal laws, not federal immigration law, and emphasizes that this does not prevent enforcing state criminal laws. The goal is to build trust in immigrant communities and ensure law enforcement resources focus on public safety rather than immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 2873: Upgrades penalty for assault on law enforcement to second degree crime under certain circumstances.

This bill would upgrade assaults against certain public safety and emergency personnel to a second-degree crime, increasing penalties. It directly affects anyone who assaults law enforcement officers, firefighters, school staff, healthcare workers (including at psychiatric facilities), utility workers, or emergency medical personnel while they are clearly performing their duties. Key provisions include elevating simple assault to a more serious charge when targeting these groups, and adding specific scenarios like assaulting utility workers during service repairs. The legislation aims to strengthen legal consequences for attacks on these critical workers. (Note: Bill is currently in committee review as of January 2026.)

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3444: Requires employers to report certain allegations of sexual assault.

This bill requires New Jersey employers to report certain sexual assault allegations to local law enforcement or county prosecutors within 24 hours of receiving a report from a consumer or employee about an assault involving another consumer or employee. Employers who fail to report face a $10,000 civil penalty. If a county prosecutor receives such a report, they must appoint a victim advocate (via the Sexual Assault Response Team) upon the accuser's request to provide information about medical, legal, and counseling services during the employer's investigation. The law applies to all employers in New Jersey, including those managing employee or consumer interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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

A 4083: Expands "Daniel's Law" to prohibit disclosure of personal information concerning court administrators and deputy court administrators.

This bill expands New Jersey's "Daniel's Law" to protect municipal court administrators and deputy court administrators by prohibiting the public disclosure of their home addresses and unpublished telephone numbers. It adds these officials to the existing list of protected individuals (including judges, law enforcement, and child protective investigators) under the same legal framework. Covered individuals can request redaction of personal information, and knowingly publishing such details without authorization becomes a criminal offense (ranging from fourth-degree to third-degree crimes). The law applies to online posts, social media, and other public sharing, with penalties for violations but no liability for news media that previously published the information.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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

A 4217: Clarifies that "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991" covers elder abuse in domestic settings.

This bill amends New Jersey's Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991 to explicitly include elder abuse and abuse of the disabled in domestic settings under the law's definition of "domestic violence." It directly affects elderly and disabled individuals who experience abuse from family members or caregivers in their homes. The key provision clarifies that existing legal protections - including restraining orders, criminal penalties, and law enforcement responses - now apply equally to elder abuse cases as they do to other domestic violence cases. This change ensures consistent legal recourse without creating new offenses, aligning the Act's scope with its original intent to protect vulnerable residents. The bill does not alter criminal statutes but makes the existing law clearer for victims and authorities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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

A 1223: Provides that person who impersonates law enforcement officer and commits crime is guilty of third degree crime.

This bill amends New Jersey law to increase penalties for impersonating a law enforcement officer who also commits another crime. Currently, impersonating an officer is a fourth-degree crime; this bill elevates the penalty to a third-degree crime if the impersonator commits a fourth-degree or more serious offense (like theft or assault) during the impersonation. A third-degree crime carries penalties of up to $15,000 in fines, 3-5 years in prison, or both. The bill directly affects individuals who impersonate officers and use that deception to commit additional crimes, making their actions subject to harsher sentencing.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Sentencing

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

A 703: Requires law enforcement officers to issue preliminary suspension of driver's license for certain drunk driving offenses.

This New Jersey bill requires police to immediately suspend a driver's license (or out-of-state driving privilege) when arresting someone for certain drunk driving offenses, including driving while intoxicated, refusing a breath test, or, for drivers under 21, operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01% to 0.08%. Officers must confiscate the license (unless issued by another state), forward documents to the Motor Vehicle Commission, and notify the driver of their right to request a hearing within 10 days. The hearing, held within 10 days by an administrative judge, determines if the initial arrest was justified before the suspension continues pending court proceedings. The temporary suspension period counts toward any final license penalty imposed by a court after conviction.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Law Enforcement Driver Licensing

All criminal justice bills