Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4439: Requires certain information regarding juvenile charged with act of delinquency to be disclosed to public.

This bill modifies New Jersey laws to require the public disclosure of specific information regarding juveniles charged with acts of delinquency. While it maintains strict confidentiality for most private records like medical and psychological files, it mandates that details about the juvenile's identity, the offense, and the court's decision be shared with victims, their families, and law enforcement upon request. Additionally, the bill allows limited access to police reports for potential civil plaintiffs involved in lawsuits related to the juvenile's actions, provided personal information about others is redacted. The legislation also permits the release of a juvenile's identity to the public if there is an active arrest warrant for a crime that would be considered an adult offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 22, 2026

S 4485: Converts community crisis response team pilot program into permanent program; appropriates $6 million.

This bill makes a temporary community crisis response team pilot program permanent and allocates $6 million in funding to support it. The Attorney General will manage the program by issuing annual grants to eligible municipalities and community-based organizations in specific counties to help them establish or expand these teams. To qualify for funding, applicants must demonstrate a connection to state-approved violence intervention or harm reduction programs and meet specific population and density criteria. The funds can be used for planning, staffing, training, and operational costs, with a requirement to prioritize non-police human service interventions over law enforcement actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 4409: Requires expedited compliance with certain search warrants in domestic violence and stalking investigations.

This bill amends New Jersey's existing laws regarding search warrants to require law enforcement to act more quickly when investigating domestic violence and stalking cases. It specifically updates legal definitions for terms like "wire communication," "electronic communication," and "intercept" to ensure they cover modern technology such as cordless phones and electronic storage. By clarifying these definitions, the legislation aims to streamline the process for investigators to obtain and execute warrants related to digital and electronic evidence in these specific types of cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 23, 2026

A 5303: Imposes restrictions on the use of expunged records.

This bill restricts how criminal records that have been expunged can be shared or used in New Jersey. It makes it a crime for any individual or organization to reveal the existence of an expunged arrest or conviction and holds record-keeping businesses responsible for immediately removing such data from their systems. The law also requires these businesses to provide a free way for people to correct their records and imposes fines of up to $5,000 for those who knowingly distribute expunged information. Additionally, the bill clarifies that agencies are not liable if they fail to remove records due to errors by law enforcement, while also protecting the privacy of license applicants by limiting the public disclosure of their home addresses.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 15, 2026

A 5273: Establishes crime of knowingly filing false report against law enforcement officers.

This bill creates a new third-degree crime in New Jersey for knowingly filing a false report against a law enforcement officer with the intent to implicate them in a criminal offense or disciplinary infraction. It directly affects individuals who submit fabricated information to authorities specifically to harm an officer's professional standing, distinguishing this act from general false reporting or falsely accusing others. The legislation establishes that this specific offense will carry a separate penalty and will not merge with existing charges for falsely incriminating other people or making false reports about non-existent incidents. By adding this provision, the law aims to provide a specific legal consequence for targeting law enforcement personnel through false accusations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 23, 2026

A 5298: Requires AG to establish uniform police training curriculum.

This bill requires the New Jersey Attorney General to create a single, standardized curriculum for basic police training across the state. The Attorney General must work with the existing Police Training Commission to develop this course, which will then be taught at all approved police training schools. The law also gives the Commission authority to enforce this new curriculum, inspect training schools, and ensure instructors meet specific qualifications. Additionally, the Attorney General is tasked with reviewing and updating the curriculum annually to keep it current.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 5216: Requires hotels to establish telecommunications system that connects callers directly to NJ Human Trafficking Hotline; requires hotel employees to report human trafficking alerts to law enforcement.

This bill requires hotels in New Jersey to install a telecommunications system that connects callers directly to the state's Human Trafficking Hotline when they dial "4-8" from a guest room phone. It mandates that hotel employees receive an alert whenever this code is dialed and immediately report the incident to law enforcement. The law applies to buildings classified as hotels and requires at least one working telephone in every guest room, though the state commissioner may grant exemptions based on factors like the size of the establishment. Additionally, the bill directs the state to create specific rules and regulations to oversee the implementation of these safety measures.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 11, 2026

A 5037: Permits county sheriffs to appoint special law enforcement officers.

This bill allows county sheriffs in New Jersey to hire special law enforcement officers, a power currently reserved for municipalities and counties with their own police forces. The legislation enables sheriffs to appoint three types of officers: Class One for traffic duties, Class Two for full police powers including arrests, and Class Three for school security. These officers would perform their duties under existing state laws regarding training, equipment, and authority limits.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 28, 2026

AR 140: Urges Attorney General and Department of Education to regularly update "Law Enforcement Directive No. 2007-1" and "School Safety and Security Manual: Best Practices Guidelines."

This resolution asks the New Jersey Attorney General and Department of Education to regularly update two school safety documents that have not been significantly revised since 2007. The specific guidance includes the "School Safety and Security Manual" for schools and "Law Enforcement Directive No. 2007-1" for police agencies, both of which cover topics like lockdowns, evacuations, and emergency response. By urging these agencies to review the materials, the bill aims to ensure that school staff and law enforcement have access to the most current best practices for maintaining safety. The measure is non-binding and serves as a formal recommendation rather than a law that creates new penalties or mandates.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing School Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 11, 2026

A 5045: Concerns investigative genetic genealogy; appropriates $500,000.

This New Jersey bill establishes a formal framework for law enforcement agencies to use investigative genetic genealogy in solving violent crimes and identifying human remains. It creates a system where police and medical examiners must work with specialized, accredited centers to analyze DNA samples from crime scenes. The legislation also allocates $500,000 in funding to support these operations and defines specific rules for how DNA testing and data sharing should be conducted.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

All criminal justice bills