Includes Sikhs as protected class in bias intimidation law; appropriates $100,000.
This bill adds "Sikhism" to New Jersey's list of protected classes under the state's bias intimidation law (N.J.S.2C:16-1), explicitly including Sikhs in legal protections against hate crimes motivated by religious bias. It directly affects Sikh residents and community members who face discrimination or violence due to their religious identity, such as attacks targeting turbans, beards, or gurdwaras. The key mechanism amends the statute to cover offenses committed "because of their membership within a protected class," including Sikhism, and creates a legal presumption that bias was a motivating factor in such crimes. The bill also appropriates $100,000, likely for educational or support programs related to Sikh community awareness, though specific funding details aren't outlined in the text.
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
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
lower
3 primary · 37 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Carol Murphy
DDemocratic
P
Shanique Speight
DDemocratic
P
Sterley Stanley
DDemocratic
Co
Al Abdelaziz
DDemocratic
Co
Alixon Collazos-Gill
DDemocratic
Co
Andrea Katz
DDemocratic
Co
Anthony Angelozzi
DDemocratic
Co
Avi Schnall
DDemocratic
Co
Balvir Singh
DDemocratic
Co
Bill Spearman
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Tully
DDemocratic
Co
Cleopatra Tucker
DDemocratic
Co
Clinton Calabrese
DDemocratic
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