Criminal Justice (Policing)

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

A 1670: Establishes "Police Body Camera Implementation Task Force" to study and make recommendations concerning use of body cameras by law enforcement agencies in this State.

This bill establishes a 17-member "Police Body Camera Implementation Task Force" to study and recommend best practices for body cameras used by law enforcement in New Jersey. The task force, including representatives from police unions, civil rights groups, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers, will examine implementation requirements and rules for accessing body camera recordings. It must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature by December 30, 2021. The bill does not mandate body cameras but aims to inform future policy decisions affecting law enforcement agencies and public safety practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes task force to study body camera best practices, enhancing police accountability and transparency in law enforcement operations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 598: Concerns victim's right to rape care advocate under certain circumstances.

This New Jersey bill (A-598) ensures victims of sexual assault have the right to a rape care advocate during medical and legal processes. It requires law enforcement officers and medical providers to immediately notify designated rape crisis centers (county organizations under state contract) whenever a sexual offense is reported. Victims must be informed of their right to have an advocate present and consult with them before and during medical exams, police interviews, and legal proceedings. The bill directly affects all sexual assault victims 12+ in New Jersey, establishing clear notification protocols to support their access to counseling and advocacy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates victim access to rape care advocates during legal/medical processes, strengthening victim protections in criminal justice system per reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures victims access to rape care advocates during medical exams, protecting patient rights and improving access to healthcare services in trauma response.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Victims' Rights

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

A 391: Establishes New Jersey Human Trafficking Criminal Registry; requires establishment of educational curricula related to human trafficking.

This bill establishes the New Jersey Human Trafficking Criminal Registry, requiring the Attorney General to create an online database with details about individuals convicted of specific human trafficking offenses (including trafficking, aiding trafficking, or advertising commercial sexual abuse of minors). The registry categorizes people by status (incarcerated, on parole, in community release programs, or out-of-state parolees) and includes names, sentences, addresses, and criminal history. It also mandates one-time training for police on trafficking identification and for hotel/motel staff and healthcare workers on recognizing and responding to suspected trafficking cases. These training requirements must be completed within specific timeframes by affected employees and are tied to license maintenance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates registry to track human trafficking offenders, enhancing law enforcement transparency and public safety protections in criminal justice context.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Policing Probation & Parole

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

A 2000: Clarifies court procedure for considering expungement applications when no objections are filed.

This bill clarifies New Jersey's expungement process for individuals seeking to clear criminal records. It requires courts to automatically consider unopposed expungement petitions on the 61st day after filing if prosecutors and law enforcement (State Police, Attorney General, county prosecutors) fail to file objections within a 60-day review period. The bill mandates an electronic filing system for petitions and requires these agencies to verify criminal history records within 60 days. It directly affects people applying for expungement, courts, and law enforcement agencies by reducing delays when no objections are raised. The change ensures expungement petitions move forward without unnecessary waiting when all parties confirm no issues exist.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomates expungement for unopposed cases, reducing barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 759: Requires AG to study law enforcement use of facial recognition technology and issue report with recommendations for Statewide policy.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to study how law enforcement agencies currently use facial recognition technology and issue a report with recommendations for statewide policy within six months. The report must assess the technology's accuracy, summarize existing law enforcement usage (including for police reports), and propose guidelines for its future use. It applies to all state and local police departments. The study does not create new laws but aims to inform potential future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates study of facial recognition use to inform policy, promoting law enforcement accountability and civil rights protections in criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates AG study of law enforcement facial recognition use to assess accuracy and privacy impacts, aiming to inform protective statewide policies on technology deployment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Emerging Technology

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

A 1897: Establishes requirements for use of deadly force.

This bill restricts when New Jersey law enforcement officers may use deadly force. It removes previous justifications for using deadly force during arrests (such as for burglary, robbery, or kidnapping) or to prevent escapes from custody. Now, deadly force is only permitted if an officer reasonably believes there is an immediate threat of deadly force to themselves or another person. The change applies to all police officers and correctional staff making arrests or maintaining custody.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts police use of deadly force to immediate threats, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Violent Crime

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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 1707: Requires online portal to report law enforcement officer misconduct; establishes duty to report by law enforcement officers.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an online portal for law enforcement officers to report misconduct by other officers. Officers must report within 72 hours if they witness excessive force, civil rights violations, or criminal offenses committed by colleagues. The portal also allows anonymous reporting, generating random identifiers instead of personal details for those who choose to remain anonymous. It directly affects all law enforcement officers in the state who observe misconduct requiring disclosure under the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires mandatory reporting of officer misconduct via online portal, enhancing police accountability and transparency in law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 2165: Requires specialized in-service training regarding crime victims for police departments in certain high-crime areas.

This bill requires police departments in New Jersey's six highest-crime urban municipalities (determined by the latest Uniform Crime Report) to ensure a reasonable percentage of officers complete mandatory in-service training on crime victims' specialized needs and available support services. The Attorney General will determine the required percentage and verify that departments meet this goal, while the Division of Criminal Justice will assist departments in implementing the training. The training focuses on victim rights, law enforcement's role in victim assistance, and local resources - building on existing but non-mandatory training requirements. It applies specifically to officers in these six high-crime areas, not statewide.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates victim-centered training for officers in high-crime areas, enhancing police accountability and victim support within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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

A 1706: Prohibits issuance and execution of "no-knock" warrant to be executed at residences.

This New Jersey bill (A 1706) requires law enforcement officers to knock and announce their identity and purpose before entering a residence for an arrest or search. It prohibits "no-knock" warrants at homes, mandating officers wait at least 30 seconds after announcing before entering - unless immediate danger exists. The law applies to all arrest and search warrants executed at residential properties and updates existing statutes to include these entry requirements. It directly affects police procedures when conducting home entries, aiming to increase transparency and safety for residents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits no-knock warrants, requiring officers to announce and wait 30 seconds before entry, enhancing police accountability and protecting residential privacy per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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