S 1666 New Jersey Senate · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Removes criminal liability for law enforcement officers who have investigative encounter with underage person for possession of alcohol or cannabis unless civil rights are violated.

S 1666 removes criminal liability for New Jersey law enforcement officers who interact with underage individuals (under 21) regarding alcohol or cannabis possession, unless the officer intentionally discriminates based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics. The bill amends existing law to require that officers only face criminal charges for civil rights violations if they acted with discriminatory intent - previously, criminal liability could apply without proving such intent. This specifically affects officers during investigative encounters (like stops or searches) related to underage possession, while preserving protections against discriminatory enforcement. The change clarifies that routine enforcement actions without discriminatory motive won't trigger criminal penalties.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 9, 2024 Last action Jan 9, 2024
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Jan 9, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
upper
2 primary · 5 co-sponsors

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