Criminal Justice in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4071: Requires DLPS to establish and make available to law enforcement agencies training materials concerning interactions with hearing impaired; requires annual training for law enforcement and contracting with qualified interpreters.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to create training materials and an online tutorial for law enforcement officers on interacting with hearing-impaired individuals. It mandates that all state, county, municipal, and campus police departments use these resources for annual training and must contract with qualified interpreters who can respond to requests within two hours. The legislation defines a hearing-impaired person as someone unable to understand oral communication and specifies that a qualified interpreter must be certified by recognized national or state registries.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4810: Establishes minimum health and safety standards for, and oversight of, State prisons, county jails, and privately-operated secure facilities in New Jersey.

This bill establishes minimum health and safety standards and oversight for state prisons, county jails, and privately-operated secure facilities in New Jersey. It requires privately-run detention centers to obtain a compliance certificate from a new oversight board before they can operate, ensuring they meet specific rules for food, water, sanitation, and space. The legislation mandates concrete conditions such as three daily meals, unlimited clean water, daily access to showers and natural light, and at least 100 square feet of sleeping space per person. Additionally, it guarantees detainees access to legal representation, free communication devices, and regular in-person visitation, including accommodations for children and elderly visitors.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4069: Establishes "New Jersey Home Safety Act" concerning firearm storage and safety; appropriates $500,000.

This bill, known as the New Jersey Home Safety Act, requires firearm owners to store their guns in a locked safe or container when not in use to prevent accidents and unauthorized access. It directly affects individuals who possess firearms in New Jersey and establishes penalties, including community service and criminal charges, for failing to comply with these storage rules. The legislation also mandates that gun dealers provide a written warning about safe storage laws to anyone receiving a firearm and sets aside $500,000 for related enforcement and education efforts.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Firearms

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4074: Requires seizure of ammunition and certain firearm components in response to domestic violence restraining order or conviction.

This bill requires law enforcement to seize ammunition and specific firearm components when issuing domestic violence restraining orders or following certain firearm-related convictions. The legislation directly impacts individuals subject to these legal orders by mandating the removal of their remaining ammunition and parts to prevent future access to weapons. Key provisions define terms like "firearm" and "destructive device" while establishing the legal framework for confiscating these items during court proceedings. The bill aims to enhance public safety by ensuring that ammunition and critical parts are taken away whenever a person is legally restricted from owning a firearm.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4808: Establishes New Jersey Justice Center for the Protection of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

This bill creates a new state agency called the New Jersey Justice Center to protect individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation by caregivers. The Justice Center will be led by an Executive Director appointed by the Governor and will develop policies to ensure high standards of care and investigate incidents within state-funded programs. Key provisions include defining what constitutes abuse and neglect, establishing a medical review board to examine cases, and allowing the center to accept grants and hire staff to carry out its duties. The legislation aims to harmonize investigation procedures across different care systems and improve the overall quality of services provided to these individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4103: Requires sexual assault forensic evidence to be preserved for 10 years.

This bill requires that forensic evidence collected during sexual assault investigations in New Jersey be kept for at least 10 years, extending to 10 years after a minor victim turns 18. It applies to various custodians, including law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and healthcare facilities, and mandates that they notify victims within 30 days of collection that the evidence may be discarded after the preservation period. The law also allows county prosecutors or the Division of Criminal Justice to authorize destruction after the deadline, provided they offer the Division a chance to take custody of the items. By updating current guidelines that previously required only five years of retention, the legislation aims to ensure evidence remains available for potential future use.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4869: Establishes new offenses concerning unlawful possession and use of credit card scanners.

This New Jersey bill creates new criminal penalties for individuals who illegally possess or use devices designed to read information from credit and debit cards. Under the proposed law, simply owning such a scanner without a legal reason would be a disorderly persons offense punishable by fines or up to six months in jail. Using the device for unlawful purposes carries much heavier consequences, classified as a second-degree crime that could result in fines up to $150,000 or five to ten years in prison. The legislation directly targets the equipment used to steal financial data from payment cards, aiming to increase the legal risks associated with these activities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4861: "Sexual Assault Victims' Rights Act"; requires victim notification concerning termination of obligation to register as sex offender and release from parole supervision for life; concerns restraining orders for victim of sex offense.

This bill, titled the Sexual Assault Victims' Rights Act, requires that victims of sex offenses be notified if a convicted offender's duty to register as a sex offender ends or if they are released from life parole. The law also addresses the use of restraining orders for victims of sexual offenses. It outlines specific crimes that qualify as sex offenses and sets rules for when and how offenders must register, particularly those under community supervision. The legislation aims to ensure victims stay informed about changes in the status of offenders who have harmed them.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights Violent Crime

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4085: Establishes Second Chance Program in charge of providing opportunities through labor organizations for formerly incarcerated individuals.

This bill creates a new Second Chance Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to help people who have been released from prison find jobs. The program will work directly with labor unions to identify job openings and create plans for hiring formerly incarcerated individuals. By partnering with these organizations, the initiative aims to provide stable career paths and reduce the likelihood of re-offending. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Corrections Workforce Development

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 11, 2026

A 4835: Permits pretrial detention for contempt violation of protective order issued under "Victim's Assistance and Survivor Protection Act."

This bill allows prosecutors to request pretrial detention for defendants who violate protective orders issued under the Victim's Assistance and Survivor Protection Act. It amends existing New Jersey law by adding contempt of such protective orders as a specific ground for holding a defendant in jail before their trial. The legislation establishes a legal presumption that defendants accused of serious crimes should be detained if a judge finds probable cause that they pose a risk to public safety or will not appear in court. While detained, defendants retain the right to legal representation and a hearing to contest the detention, though standard trial evidence rules do not apply during this process.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

All criminal justice bills