Criminal Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3346: Establishes "Task Force for Community Based Juvenile Rehabilitation."

S 3346 establishes a 17-member "Task Force for Community Based Juvenile Rehabilitation" in New Jersey. The task force will study appropriate age ranges for juvenile court prosecution based on developmental science and state practices, and examine racial disparities in juvenile sentencing. It includes members like the Attorney General, youth justice representatives, and experts, and must hold public hearings across the state. The task force must submit recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year of the bill's effective date. This bill creates a study group to inform future policy changes, not an immediate law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTask force studies racial disparities in juvenile sentencing and developmental science, aligning with reform goals to reduce inequities and improve rehabilitation programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Sentencing

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

A 4403: Requires access to law enforcement guidelines for processing firearms permit applications upon public records request.

This bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to make their guidelines for processing firearms permit applications available to the public through standard public records requests. It does this by amending the state's public records law to explicitly include these guidelines in the definition of "government records." As a result, anyone can request these documents, and agencies must provide them unless an exemption applies. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies, which must now disclose these guidelines, and the public, which gains greater transparency in how firearm permit applications are handled.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public access to firearm permit guidelines, enhancing law enforcement transparency and accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Tags Government Transparency

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

A 944: Directs fines collected for certain prostitution crime to "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund."

This bill redirects fines from specific prostitution-related convictions to the "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund." It applies to fines collected for offenses under subsection b. paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7) of N.J.S.2C:34-1, which include promoting prostitution of minors, compelling others into prostitution, or other serious violations. The funds will be deposited into the existing state fund established to support trafficking survivors, as specified in prior law. This policy change modifies where penalty money goes but does not alter the definition of prostitution or the penalties themselves. The bill affects individuals convicted of these specific prostitution-related offenses in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects prostitution fines to trafficking survivor fund, supporting victim services and criminal justice reform through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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

A 1787: Extends from six to 12 months compensation program for injured law enforcement officers and other employees; revises type of injury needed to qualify for program.

This bill (A 1787) extends the duration of wage replacement payments for specific public safety workers injured during official duties from six to 12 months. It directly affects correctional officers, parole officers, human services police, campus police, medical security officers, and civilian employees working with inmates, who suffer serious bodily injury from assaults by those under their supervision or custody. The bill requires employers to provide supplemental payments so injured workers receive their full net wage (combined with workers' compensation) for up to 12 months, while protecting existing fringe benefits. It amends existing law (P.L.2017, c.93) to update the timeframe and ensure continued income support during recovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill extends compensation for injured law enforcement and correctional officers, directly supporting personnel in the criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends wage replacement duration from 6 to 12 months for injured public safety workers, expanding benefits and strengthening worker compensation protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Probation & Parole

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

A 748: Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses employing qualified ex-offenders.

This bill provides New Jersey businesses with tax credits for hiring qualified ex-offenders. Specifically, it allows a 15% credit against corporation business tax and gross income tax for wages paid to eligible individuals, capped at $900 per employee per year. A "qualified ex-offender" is defined as someone convicted of a first-, second-, third-, or fourth-degree crime in New Jersey who was hired within one year of conviction or release from incarceration. The credit cannot exceed 50% of the tax liability and may be carried forward if unused in the current year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits reducing business tax burden, aligning with tax relief and fiscal policy goals for workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTax credits incentivize hiring ex-offenders, reducing recidivism and supporting reentry programs - core criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credits to incentivize hiring ex-offenders, directly expanding employment opportunities for a marginalized workforce and aligning with labor support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Corrections

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3617: Authorizes State, county, and municipal law enforcement officers to access certain crime scenes and evidence.

This bill authorizes all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement officers to access crime scenes and evidence under their agency's jurisdiction. It prohibits anyone - including federal officers - from blocking officers from these locations, treating such obstruction as a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine. The law requires the Attorney General to issue implementation guidelines and takes effect four months after enactment. It directly affects law enforcement access to evidence during investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes law enforcement access to crime scenes and penalizes obstruction, directly strengthening operational effectiveness within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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

A 4203: Requires Director of Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in DHS to evaluate and report on interactions occurring between law enforcement and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

This bill requires New Jersey's Director of the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (in the Department of Human Services) to evaluate law enforcement interactions with deaf and hard of hearing individuals within six months of enactment. The evaluation must cover communication protocols, officer training in sign language and de-escalation, interpreter availability, treatment in custody, and complaint resolution processes. The Director must then produce a report with findings and recommendations for improving these interactions, distributing it to the Governor, Legislature, and all law enforcement agencies. The bill expires 30 days after the report is published online.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates evaluation of law enforcement interactions with deaf/hard of hearing individuals to improve communication protocols, training, and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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

A 4254: Directs use of 21st Century Improvement Fund to establish individualized account access system.

This bill directs $10 million annually from New Jersey's 21st Century Improvement Fund - funded by court fees - to create an individualized account system for the state's digital e-court platform. It requires the system to send email and text notifications to court users about pending matters, such as violations and court dates. The provision applies to anyone interacting with the court system, including low-income individuals who may use legal aid services. The change expands existing e-court access by adding personalized alerts, aiming to improve communication about court obligations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeImproves court accessibility for defendants, reducing missed appointments and potential penalties for low-income users via notification system85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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

A 3137: Provides that unlawful use, manufacture, or distribution of controlled dangerous substance by parent or caregiver in presence of child constitutes crime of endangering welfare of child.

This proposed bill (A-3137) would amend New Jersey law to make it a crime for a parent or caregiver to unlawfully use, manufacture, or distribute illegal drugs in the presence of a child. It directly affects parents and caregivers who engage in drug-related activities around minors. The key provision adds specific language to the endangering welfare statute, classifying such drug activity in front of a child as a criminal offense (third degree for caregivers, fourth degree for others), separate from standard drug violations. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense for drug use around minors, increasing penalties under criminal justice system.92% confidence

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

A 3360: Requires drunk driver to pay restitution on behalf of child if parent or guardian is killed by that driver.

This bill (A3360) would require a driver convicted of reckless vehicular homicide while violating New Jersey's DUI laws (R.S.39:4-50) to pay restitution to a minor child if the victim was the child's parent or guardian. It specifically targets cases where drunk driving causes a parent's death, mandating the offender compensate the child for their loss. The restitution would be in addition to any criminal penalties or civil damages. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates restitution for child victims of drunk driving homicides, enhancing victim accountability within criminal sentencing without altering core penalties or reforming systemic issues.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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