This bill requires New Jersey correctional facilities to provide female inmates with a single dose of Levonorgestrel (Plan B) upon request to prevent pregnancy. It allows inmates to consult with medical professionals about the medication and mandates generic substitutions when possible. The policy directly affects female inmates in state correctional facilities, ensuring access to emergency contraception without requiring a prescription. The bill takes effect three months after enactment, aligning with the medication's standard 72-hour window for effectiveness after potential exposure.
This New Jersey bill (S 318) criminalizes three specific acts related to vacant dwellings: forcibly entering without permission to take residence ("housebreaking"), occupying without permission ("unlawful occupancy"), and reentering after a court-ordered eviction ("unlawful reentry"). All are classified as fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The law presumes occupants know they lack permission unless they have a notarized written rental agreement with the owner's current contact details. It directly affects property owners seeking to evict unauthorized occupants and occupants in vacant properties without documented authorization.
This bill (S 890) requires New Jersey's Attorney General to publish quarterly crime data collected from police departments on the state website within six months after each quarter ends. It also sets a deadline of one year and one day for the Attorney General to deliver an annual crime data report to the Governor and Legislature. The law directly affects the Attorney General's office and the Division of State Police, which will manage the data repository. These deadlines replace the current lack of specified timelines for releasing this public safety information.
This bill (S 1537) would mandate life imprisonment without parole eligibility for specific severe sexual assault convictions in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals convicted of aggravated sexual assault causing serious bodily injury (under N.J.S.2C:14-2) or sexual assault involving minors (16 or younger) with weapons or threats (under N.J.S.2C:14-2 or 2C:14-3). Key provisions require courts to impose life sentences without parole for the first scenario and extended terms (10-30 years) with mandatory parole ineligibility periods for the second, including minimum 25-year parole-ineligible terms if life imprisonment is given. The bill also increases minimum parole-ineligible terms for repeat sexual assault offenders. (Note: Bill is pending, introduced January 2026.)
New Jersey's S 2038 creates a pilot program for behavioral health courts, allowing eligible defendants to receive court-ordered treatment instead of prison sentences. The bill applies to individuals convicted of non-violent offenses who need behavioral health services (e.g., mental health or substance abuse treatment), have no prior violent convictions, and meet specific criteria like not possessing firearms during the offense. Courts must order participants into licensed treatment programs and monitor compliance, with probation revoked for violations (permanent revocation after a second violation). The program is limited to counties/municipalities that apply and operates as a pilot in at least two counties and five municipalities.
This bill redirects fines from specific prostitution-related convictions to the "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund." It applies to fines collected for offenses including promoting prostitution involving minors (under 18), compelling prostitution, or engaging in prostitution with minors (as defined in subsection b. paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), and certain promotion activities. Instead of going to municipal treasuries or general funds, these fines will now be deposited directly into the established fund, which supports human trafficking survivors. The change amends existing statute to specify this fund as the destination for these particular fines.
S 261 requires county prosecutors to notify New Jersey's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) before investigating misconduct allegations against state, county, or municipal law enforcement officers. The OPIA must then supervise these investigations to ensure objectivity. The Attorney General can also take over any such investigation if they determine it serves the state's interests. This bill establishes a formal oversight process for officer misconduct cases without changing criminal laws.
S 3068 makes it a serious felony (first-degree crime) for law enforcement officers - including police, corrections staff, probation officers, and sheriffs - to intentionally block someone’s nose or mouth or apply a chokehold that causes serious injury or death. The bill specifically targets officers acting in their official capacity while wearing uniforms or displaying authority. It defines "chokehold" broadly to include any pressure on the throat or windpipe that hinders breathing, with penalties of up to 20 years in prison or a $200,000 fine. This law directly affects all New Jersey municipal, county, and state law enforcement personnel covered by the bill’s definition.
This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create an online portal for law enforcement officers to report misconduct by other officers. Officers must report within 72 hours if they witness unjustifiable force (per N.J.S.2C:3-7), civil rights violations (per P.L. 2003, c.3), or any criminal offense committed by another officer. The portal also allows anonymous reporting of non-criminal policy violations, with submissions using random identifiers instead of personal details. This directly affects all law enforcement officers in the state who observe misconduct.
This bill (S 3126) increases the credit toward court-imposed financial obligations for individuals jailed due to nonpayment. Specifically, it raises the daily credit from $50 to $90 for each day served in jail related to unpaid fines, restitution, child support, or other court-ordered debts. The change applies directly to people incarcerated for defaulting on these obligations without "good cause," as defined under New Jersey law. It modifies Section 2C:46-2(c) of the statute to ensure greater debt reduction per day of incarceration. This policy change aims to reduce the total debt burden more effectively for affected individuals.
