Upgrades certain penalties for criminal street gang recruitment and criminality; imposes mandatory minimum sentence for certain offenses; establishes accomplice liability and imposes restrictions for certain recruiters.

This bill (A2895) increases penalties for criminal street gang recruitment in New Jersey by imposing mandatory minimum prison sentences of 5-15 years for people who recruit minors (7 years for those under 18, 10 years for those under 14) and for those who cause or encourage minors to join gangs. It establishes new restrictions requiring convicted recruiters to live at least 500 feet from schools and playgrounds, and bans them from jobs involving 80% or more child contact. The bill creates accomplice liability for those who recruit gang members, making them responsible for crimes committed by recruited minors. It applies to anyone convicted of recruiting minors or doing so on school property.