Criminal Justice (Corrections) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2036: Classifies xylazine as Schedule III controlled dangerous substance under certain circumstances.

This bill adds xylazine to New Jersey's Schedule III controlled substances list, meaning it is now classified as a controlled drug with specific legal restrictions. The exception explicitly allows veterinarians to prescribe, administer, or dispense xylazine for animal care without violating the law. Illegally possessing, distributing, or using xylazine would become a third-degree crime, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $35,000. This change directly affects people who misuse xylazine outside of veterinary contexts, while leaving veterinary practice unaffected.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1931: Increases penalty for reckless vehicular homicide committed when driving while intoxicated under certain circumstances.

This bill (S 1931) increases penalties for reckless vehicular homicide when the driver was intoxicated. It elevates the offense to a first-degree crime if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs while operating a vehicle near schools or school zones, including: within 1,000 feet of school property, through designated school crossings, near school crossings with juveniles present (even if unmarked), or in highway construction zones. Convictions under these circumstances require a minimum prison term of one-third to one-half of the sentence or three years (whichever is greater), with no parole eligibility during that period, plus a license suspension of 5 years to life. The law applies directly to drivers convicted of causing death while driving intoxicated in these specific locations.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Violent Crime Driver Licensing Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 344: Clarifies crime of highway and public passage obstruction and increases penalties.

This bill clarifies and increases penalties for obstructing highways or public passages in New Jersey. It separates reckless obstruction (now a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to 6 months in jail or $1,000 fine) from purposeful obstruction that affects commerce (now a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine). The bill also specifies that gathering to hear speech or communicate does not alone constitute obstruction, and makes it a violation to refuse a reasonable official order to move from a public passage. It directly affects individuals who block roads or public areas, whether alone or in groups, and updates existing penalties from current petty disorderly offense standards.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Corrections Roads & Highways

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1077: Establishes "Incarcerated Women's Protection Act" and concerns correctional facility board of trustees.

S 1077, the "Incarcerated Women's Protection Act," requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections to implement gender-responsive policies for female inmates. It establishes a Division of Women's Services to address specific needs like trauma treatment, parenting support, and child reunification, while mandating doula services for pregnant incarcerated women and specialized training for staff on gender-responsive practices. The bill also creates a Prison Rape Elimination Act Compliance Unit and a Special Victim's Unit to investigate sexual misconduct allegations. These provisions directly affect all women incarcerated in New Jersey state facilities and their correctional staff. (Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was incorporated into P.L.2025, c.305.)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3127: Requires DOC to notify inmates of outstanding motor vehicle fines or penalties and permits inmate to enter into payment plan upon release from incarceration.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections to notify inmates at release about outstanding motor vehicle fines or penalties for traffic law violations (Title 39) that existed when they were incarcerated. It extends the existing 90-day grace period - during which inmates are not required to pay such fines and cannot face arrest warrants for nonpayment - to cover these specific fines. After the 90 days, inmates may arrange a reasonable payment plan for these outstanding traffic fines. The bill maintains that inmates remain responsible for paying but prohibits additional penalties while incarcerated for these fines.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 363: Adds to list of crimes ineligible for administrative parole release.

This bill (S 363) expands the list of crimes that prevent inmates from being automatically released on administrative parole under New Jersey’s "Earn Your Way Out" Act (P.L.2019, c.364). It adds specific serious offenses - including human trafficking, child pornography, drug trafficking leadership, aggravated arson, and terrorism-related crimes - to the existing exclusion list, making individuals convicted of these crimes ineligible for automatic parole even if they meet other criteria. The bill affects inmates serving sentences for these newly listed offenses, who would previously have qualified for parole under the 2019 law if they completed rehabilitation programs and had no disciplinary issues. The policy change clarifies that these offenses, defined as first-degree crimes punishable by 10-20 years in prison, are excluded from the automatic parole process.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Probation & Parole

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 978: Makes it fourth degree crime to engage in certain tracking and location activities.

New Jersey's S 978 makes it a fourth-degree crime (carrying up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine) to secretly install or use electronic tracking devices or apps to monitor another person's location with intent to facilitate unlawful acts like stalking or harassment. The bill directly affects individuals who secretly track others without consent, such as in cases of relationship surveillance. Key exemptions include parents tracking minor children, caregivers monitoring vulnerable individuals, businesses disclosing location tracking in privacy policies, and employers tracking work vehicles under specific conditions. The law creates a legal presumption that secret location tracking is intended for unlawful purposes, while excluding government entities and certain business/employer uses.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2503: Increases penalties for purposely desecrating any public monument, insignia, symbol, or structure, or place of worship or burial.

S 2503 upgrades penalties for purposely damaging or defacing public monuments, symbols, places of worship, or burial sites from a disorderly persons offense to a fourth-degree crime. It defines "desecrate" as defacing, damaging, or polluting such protected sites. If passed, the offense would carry up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both - up from a maximum of six months and $1,000 under current law. The bill directly affects individuals who intentionally harm these sites, with no exemptions specified. The bill was introduced in the New Jersey Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1177: Establishes crime of fertility fraud.

This bill establishes "fertility fraud" as a crime in New Jersey. It makes it illegal for health care practitioners to perform fertility treatments using their own or another person's reproductive material without the patient's written consent, directly affecting patients who could become victims and practitioners who violate this rule. The offense is classified as a third-degree crime, punishable by up to five years in prison, a $15,000 fine, and permanent loss of medical licensure. Prosecutions must occur within 20 years of the treatment or 10 years after the victim discovers the fraud.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Medical Licensing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 432: Requires certain correctional facilities to allow service and companion animals to assist inmates with disability; makes appropriation.

This bill allows inmates with disabilities in New Jersey state correctional facilities to use service animals or "incarcerated person companion animals" (pets kept for companionship) under specific conditions. It requires the Department of Corrections to create a program where inmates can apply for animal assistance, with evaluations conducted within 30 days for companion animal requests. Key provisions include mandatory health documentation for animals, rules for when and how animals may be present, and processes for handling requests from inmates with existing service animals or those seeking new ones. The bill appropriates funds for implementation and sets standards to balance inmate needs with facility safety and operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

All criminal justice bills