S 400 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Provides that act of sexual penetration committed without victim's consent constitutes sexual assault; defines term "consent."

This bill updates New Jersey's sexual assault laws by defining "consent" as a "freely given, knowledgeable, and informed agreement" and stating that sexual penetration without consent constitutes sexual assault. It clarifies key terms like "sexual penetration" (including vaginal, anal, or oral contact) and "intimate parts" to ensure consistent legal application. The law directly affects individuals charged with sexual assault, requiring prosecutors to prove lack of consent rather than relying on ambiguous standards. These changes apply to all cases under New Jersey's criminal code for sexual assault and penetration, replacing outdated definitions with clearer, victim-centered language.
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 in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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