Upgrades burglary of a residence to a crime of the second degree; requires mandatory period of parole ineligibility if residence was occupied at time of offense.

Bill A3587 upgrades burglary of an occupied residence to a second-degree crime (previously a third-degree offense). If a person was present in the home during the burglary, offenders must serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole, as required by New Jersey's "No Early Release Act." This applies specifically to burglaries of dwellings or structures adapted for overnight accommodation (like homes) when occupants were inside. The change increases penalties for burglaries involving occupied residences compared to unoccupied ones, which remain third-degree crimes.