Criminalizes participation in criminal street gang.

New Jersey's S 889 criminalizes knowingly participating in a criminal street gang and actively promoting gang activities related to specific violent or serious offenses. It targets individuals who knowingly join a gang and help others commit crimes like robbery, carjacking, assault, sexual assault, burglary, kidnapping, extortion, or certain drug/firearms violations. The bill defines a "criminal street gang" as three or more people meeting specific criteria (e.g., shared symbols, prior criminal activity) and classifies violations as fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine. This law directly affects gang members who actively support or further gang-related criminal conduct. The bill was introduced in January 2026 and referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.