Eliminates provision in bias intimidation statute concerning victim's perception of defendant's purpose; replaces provision with language concerning a "reasonable" victim.

This bill (S 550) amends New Jersey's bias intimidation statute (N.J.S.2C:16-1) by removing a specific provision that relied on a victim's perception of the defendant's purpose. The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled this provision unconstitutional in *State v. Pomianek* (2015) for being unconstitutionally vague. The bill replaces it with language requiring that the victim's belief be "reasonable" under the circumstances, mirroring a standard upheld in the stalking statute (*State v. Gandhi*, 2008). This change directly affects how bias intimidation cases are prosecuted in New Jersey courts, ensuring the law complies with due process requirements.