A 1704 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Establishes crime of strangulation chokehold.

This bill makes it a first-degree crime for specific law enforcement personnel - including police officers, correctional staff, and probation officers - to use a chokehold that blocks breathing or causes serious injury or death while on duty. It defines "chokehold" broadly to include any pressure on the throat or windpipe that hinders breathing. Violators face up to 20 years in prison, a $200,000 fine, or both. The law directly affects sworn law enforcement and correctional staff, clarifying and strengthening existing restrictions on chokehold use.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jan 13, 2026
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Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
DDemocratic
NJ
15