Broadens riot and disorderly conduct; enhances penalties for public monument destruction; addresses riot victim assaults; creates crime of promotion of violent, disorderly assembly.

This bill (S 834) expands New Jersey's riot and disorderly conduct laws. It makes rioting a more serious crime (third degree) when property is damaged or people are injured, and increases penalties for destroying public monuments during riots (now a fourth-degree crime). The bill also creates a new offense for promoting violent or disorderly assemblies and clarifies that refusing to disperse during public safety threats (like highway obstructions) is a punishable violation. These changes directly affect individuals participating in protests or riots, public safety officials enforcing dispersal orders, and communities protecting monuments.