Concerns false public alarms involving places of worship.

This New Jersey bill (S 2929) increases penalties for false alarms targeting religious buildings. It amends state law to make false reports about churches, synagogues, mosques, gurdwaras, or other places of worship a second-degree crime (instead of third-degree). The bill defines "place of worship" as a building seating over 50 people used primarily for religious services. Violators face a minimum $5,000 civil fine or actual emergency response costs (double the standard penalty for other false alarms), with criminal penalties up to 10 years in prison. The law aims to deter disruptions to religious institutions and reduce unnecessary emergency responses.