Prohibits juror disqualification based on gender identity or sexual orientation; codifies procedures when discriminatory use of peremptory challenges is alleged.

This New Jersey bill (S 2249) prohibits disqualifying citizens from jury service based on gender identity or sexual orientation, adding these to existing protections against discrimination for race, sex, or other factors. It also creates a process for challenging when a lawyer uses a peremptory challenge (a removal without stating a reason) to exclude a juror based on these protected characteristics. If a party alleges discrimination, the court must evaluate whether the challenge was based on a valid, neutral reason or was a pretext. Violations could result in civil penalties or criminal charges (treated as a fourth-degree crime with fines up to $10,000). The law directly affects potential jurors, court staff, and attorneys during jury selection.