Criminal Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1651: Permits court to order counseling for children in households with domestic violence in appropriate cases; establishes presumption of award of custody to domestic violence victim in appropriate cases.

S 1651 requires New Jersey courts to advise domestic violence victims about counseling services for children exposed to violence in their households. It establishes a legal presumption that custody should be awarded to the domestic violence victim in appropriate cases, shifting the default in custody decisions. Key mechanisms include mandating court referrals to counseling services for affected children and requiring judges to consider the victim's safety when making custody rulings. The bill amends existing domestic violence procedures (P.L.1991, c.261) to prioritize victim safety and child well-being without adding new criminal penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates custody presumption to DV victims & child counseling, prioritizing victim safety in criminal justice context95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2873: Imposes restrictions on the use of expunged records.

This bill (S 2873) restricts the disclosure and use of criminal records that have been legally expunged in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals with expunged records, background check companies, and government licensing boards. Key provisions include: making it illegal to knowingly share expunged records (with fines up to $5,000 per violation), requiring background check companies to delete expunged records within 30 days of a request, and mandating that licensing boards redact expunged convictions from their records while keeping the fact of disciplinary action visible. The bill strengthens enforcement of expungement by adding civil penalties and clear procedures for correcting records.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts misuse of expunged records, aligning with reform goals to reduce barriers for reintegration and protect civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2801: Requires law enforcement agencies to establish review council in internal affairs unit to investigate law enforcement officers who participate in hate groups.

New Jersey bill S 2801 requires all law enforcement agencies to establish an "extremist review council" within their internal affairs units. This council must investigate misconduct complaints involving officers who make public expressions of hate, participate in hate group activities, or are members of hate groups - both on and off duty. The bill defines "hate group" broadly to include organizations targeting people based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability, and covers public expressions like social media posts. It amends existing law by mandating that the Police Management Manual’s guidelines be updated to enforce this requirement, affecting all state police departments and campus law enforcement units.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to investigate hate group participation, enhancing officer accountability and protecting civil rights - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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died · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

SCR 16: Amends State Constitution to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude.

SCR 16 proposes adding a new constitutional provision to New Jersey's state constitution explicitly prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude in all circumstances, including as punishment for a crime. This would directly affect all residents, particularly incarcerated individuals who currently perform mandatory, low-paid labor in state prisons. The amendment would ban forcing anyone to work against their will for the state's benefit - even if compensated - but would not prohibit voluntary work programs for inmates. It requires voter approval via referendum after legislative passage, as the current constitution lacks any such prohibition.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans forced prison labor as punishment, directly protecting incarcerated individuals' rights and advancing criminal justice reform by prohibiting involuntary servitude in corrections.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits involuntary servitude, protecting incarcerated workers' rights from forced labor, directly advancing labor rights protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1443: Concerns Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.

This bill requires New Jersey's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) to adopt the Attorney General's most recent "Internal Affairs Policy and Procedures" for handling internal investigations of state law enforcement. It also mandates that OPIA submit detailed reports to the Legislature for any investigation taking over 180 days, summarizing all actions taken during that time. The bill directly affects OPIA (which investigates misconduct by state law enforcement) and the Legislature (which receives the reports). These provisions aim to standardize internal investigation procedures and increase transparency for ongoing cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires OPIA to adopt AG's internal affairs policy and mandate detailed reports for long investigations, enhancing law enforcement accountability and oversight per criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SJR 29: Makes permanent the "Commission to Protect New Jersey Inmates from Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct."

SJR 29 makes permanent the "Commission to Protect New Jersey Inmates from Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct," which was previously established for a limited term. The bill creates a 17-member commission with legislative, state agency, and public representatives - including a former inmate, victims' advocate, and PREA expert - to examine safety issues in correctional facilities. Key duties include assessing compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), reviewing how sexual assault allegations are reported and investigated, studying staffing ratios at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, and preventing retaliation against inmates who report misconduct. The commission must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature with findings and recommendations. This directly affects inmates in New Jersey's correctional facilities, particularly regarding their safety and access to fair investigations of misconduct by staff.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates permanent commission to protect inmates from sexual assault in prisons, assesses PREA compliance, and enhances correctional facility safety oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2855: Requires AG to establish uniform police training curriculum.

S 2855 requires New Jersey's Attorney General to develop a uniform basic training curriculum for police officers, to be implemented at all approved police training schools across the state. The bill mandates annual review and updates to this curriculum by the Attorney General, in consultation with the Police Training Commission. It directly affects police training schools (including regional, county, municipal, and association-run programs) and new officers entering law enforcement. Key provisions include standardizing entry-level training content, requiring schools to follow the curriculum, and giving the Commission authority to oversee implementation and school approvals. The bill does not change existing training standards but creates a statewide uniform requirement for foundational police training.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires uniform police training curriculum to enhance accountability and standardize officer preparation, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1752: Establishes four-year pilot program in Ocean County for electronic monitoring of certain domestic violence offenders; appropriates $2.5 million.

This bill proposes a four-year pilot program in Ocean County (or another county designated by the Attorney General) to monitor certain domestic violence offenders using electronic tracking devices. It would require court-ordered electronic monitoring only with the victim's informed consent, applying to offenders convicted of violating domestic violence restraining orders. Key provisions include court evaluations of risk factors (like prior violence or weapon access), mandatory victim notification, a $250 monitoring fee (waivable for financial hardship), and $2.5 million in state funding. The program would mandate compliance with national technology standards and establish procedures for handling device tampering or noncompliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires victim consent for electronic monitoring of domestic violence offenders, promotes safety through risk assessments, and aims to reduce recidivism via targeted supervision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2721: Establishes Office of State Police Affairs in but not of Department of Treasury.

S 2721 creates an independent Office of State Police Affairs within the Department of Treasury (but separate from it) to oversee state police operations. The office investigates misconduct complaints against law enforcement officers, reviews internal police investigations, and ensures compliance with procedures - reporting directly to the director appointed by the Governor. It grants the director authority to compel testimony, subpoena evidence, and oversee officer appointments, promotions, and discipline. This bill directly affects state police officers, the Division of State Police, and the public through new complaint and oversight mechanisms. The office must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates independent office to investigate law enforcement misconduct, review internal investigations, and ensure compliance, directly enhancing police accountability and criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2665: Prohibits suspension of driving privileges and arrest for certain crimes and offenses.

This New Jersey bill (S 2665) changes how driver's licenses can be suspended for unpaid child support. It requires the Probation Division to send written notice (via certified mail) to individuals owing six months of child support or failing to provide court-ordered health coverage, giving them 30 days to pay or provide proof before license suspension. The bill adds a requirement for a hearing if the person requests one within 45 days, and explicitly removes license suspension as a penalty for other unpaid financial obligations like fines or restitution. It directly affects people with outstanding child support arrearages who fail to respond to notice.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves license suspension for unpaid child support, adds notice/hearing requirements, reducing punitive measures for non-criminal offenses and protecting civil rights through due process.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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