This bill imposes mandatory penalties for burglary, robbery, or theft committed during a state of emergency declared under New Jersey's Disaster Control Act. It requires courts to impose a minimum six-month prison term or six months of community service (in addition to standard penalties) for these specific crimes when they occur during emergencies like natural disasters or war threats. The law applies to individuals who commit these acts while an emergency is ongoing, as defined by the Governor's emergency orders. It directly affects people charged with burglary, robbery, or theft during declared emergencies, with penalties enforced through municipal courts.
S 3315 clarifies that public entities (like government agencies) and public employees acting within their official duties cannot be held liable for punitive damages in any legal case. This bill amends New Jersey law (specifically P.L.1995, c.142 and P.L.1945, c.169) to explicitly state that punitive damages - intended to punish wrongdoing - may not be awarded against these public entities or employees. The key mechanism is a direct prohibition added to existing statutes, ensuring such cases cannot seek punitive damages even if compensatory damages are awarded. This applies to all actions involving public employees or entities acting in their official capacity.
This bill changes New Jersey's pretrial detention rules by creating a rebuttable presumption that defendants charged with certain violent crimes must be held in jail before trial. It applies to cases involving murder, life sentences, serious violent offenses (like domestic violence, human trafficking of minors, or crimes under specific statutes), or when prosecutors allege a high risk of flight or danger. Courts must assume detention is necessary unless the defendant proves otherwise through a hearing. The bill also clarifies that monetary bail should only be used when no other conditions can ensure court appearance or community safety. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
This bill (A-2957) upgrades the legal classification of certain assaults against school personnel from "simple assault" to "aggravated assault" when the attack occurs while they are clearly performing their duties (e.g., in uniform or identifiable as staff). It specifically targets incidents involving school board members, administrators, teachers, school bus drivers, or other school employees acting in their official roles. The change increases penalties for these assaults by elevating the charge under New Jersey's assault statute (N.J.S.2C:12-1). This directly affects school staff members who are assaulted during work hours in identifiable professional roles.
This bill would have established criminal penalties (fourth-degree crimes) for employers who knowingly falsify payroll records required under New Jersey's Prevailing Wage Act or make false statements on public works contractor registration forms. It directly affects employers working on public construction projects subject to prevailing wage requirements. Currently, such violations are punishable only as minor offenses (up to 90 days in jail), but this bill would have increased penalties to up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fines. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved as part of P.L.2025, c.356, meaning the changes are now law.
This bill (A 1389) upgrades assaults against youth sports officials to aggravated assault under New Jersey law. It directly affects anyone who assaults referees, umpires, coaches, athletic trainers, or similar officials at school- or community-sponsored youth sports events, provided the official was clearly identifiable in their role (e.g., wearing a uniform). The key mechanism adds "sports official" to the list of protected individuals under aggravated assault, meaning such assaults will now carry higher penalties than simple assault. The bill applies only to youth sports events and requires the official to be visibly identifiable during the incident.
This bill expands New Jersey's DUI law to cover any substance that impairs driving ability - beyond just alcohol or narcotics - such as inhalants (e.g., glue, solvents) or other chemicals causing intoxication. It requires drivers suspected of impairment to submit to non-invasive drug tests (like saliva tests) and extends existing penalties for driving under the influence to all impairing substances. The law applies to all drivers operating vehicles while impaired, with penalties structured by impairment level (e.g., fines, license suspension, jail time) similar to current alcohol-related DUI rules. Repeat offenses face harsher consequences, including ignition interlock device requirements or longer license suspensions.
This bill (A 296) increases penalties for human trafficking involving children under 18 in New Jersey. It expands the definition of human trafficking to cover all forms of child exploitation (both sexual and labor), not just sexual activity. Offenders face mandatory life imprisonment without parole, a $25,000 fine (funded to a victim assistance program), and restitution based on the victim’s labor value. The law directly affects individuals convicted of trafficking children, replacing current penalties that allowed parole eligibility after 20 years. This change applies to all child trafficking offenses, regardless of whether the perpetrator mistakenly believed the child was 18 or older.
This bill (A-3044) makes it a criminal offense for a person who improperly stores a loaded firearm at their premises to be automatically liable for criminal penalties if a minor accesses it and causes injury or death. It increases penalties based on severity: a third-degree crime for bodily injury, second-degree for serious injury, and first-degree for death. The law applies to anyone in control of premises where a minor (now defined as under age 18, up from 16) gains access to an improperly stored firearm. It does not change current storage requirements (e.g., locked container, trigger lock) but escalates consequences when injury or death occurs.
This New Jersey bill (A 294) creates a new third-degree crime called "gang assault." It applies when a person, aided by two or more others actually present, intentionally causes physical harm (like pain, illness, or injury) to someone else. The law defines "bodily injury" as physical pain, illness, or impairment of physical condition. Violating this law carries a penalty of 3-5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. The bill is modeled after similar New York law and takes effect immediately upon enactment.
