New Jersey's S 3271 requires background checks for staff working in specific child-focused programs. It mandates fingerprint-based criminal history checks for all current and prospective employees providing direct services to children under 21 in Behavioral Assistance Services and Intensive In-Community Mental Health Rehabilitation Services programs. Staff may be permanently disqualified if they refuse checks, provide false information, are sex offenders, or have convictions for crimes like child abuse, violent offenses, or certain drug offenses within the past five years. Programs can cover the check costs or require staff to pay. This bill affects providers serving Medicaid beneficiaries, NJ FamilyCare recipients, or children in the Children’s System of Care under 21.
This New Jersey bill (A3352) requires courts to provide counseling services for children in domestic violence cases and establishes that custody must generally be awarded to the domestic violence victim in appropriate cases. It mandates courts to advise victims and children about counseling services, allows emergency protective orders including firearm restrictions, and ensures temporary orders can be issued quickly without the victim's physical presence. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims, their children, and courts handling family cases, focusing on immediate safety and long-term support. It amends existing law to prioritize victim safety and child welfare in custody determinations.
This bill allows certain Class Two special law enforcement officers in New Jersey to carry firearms at all times while in the state, under specific conditions. It directly affects officers employed by municipalities with over 300,000 residents who work at least 35 hours weekly, meet residency requirements, and complete 280 hours of required training (covering arrest, search, criminal law, and deadly force) plus annual firearm qualification. The key provision permits off-duty carry only after successfully completing the training and obtaining an annual permit from the chief of police, which can be revoked. This replaces the prior rule requiring officers to return firearms at the end of their workday.
This bill clarifies that individuals in New Jersey may voluntarily surrender both firearms and ammunition to law enforcement through established programs. It amends existing law to explicitly include ammunition in the voluntary surrender process, requiring written notice before charges or investigations begin. Law enforcement agencies running gun buyback programs must now accept surrendered ammunition (not just firearms) and may offer awards for surrendered items. The bill confirms that such programs - which already exist - are legally permissible under current law, with no immunity granted for crimes beyond unlawful possession of the surrendered items.
This bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to submit monthly data to the Attorney General about handgun permit and firearm purchase permit applications. The data must include applicant demographics (race, ethnicity, gender identity), application status (approved/denied), and denial reasons. The Attorney General must then compile and publicly release this information starting from June 2022, with an initial report due within two months of the bill's effective date. The bill aims to increase transparency around firearm licensing outcomes, particularly regarding potential disparities in denials across different applicant groups.
This bill (A1885) clarifies and expands firearm carry permissions for municipal arson investigators under New Jersey law. It adds a specific requirement that fire department members assigned to arson investigation units must complete approved police academy training, firearms certification, and annual qualification before being authorized to carry weapons. These investigators can carry firearms while actively working on arson cases or on call, with approval from their local government or county prosecutor. The change formalizes existing practice for these specialized personnel, ensuring they meet standardized training and safety protocols. The bill does not create new investigative powers but updates firearm-related exemptions in state law.
This New Jersey bill (A 3388) creates a legal presumption that custody of children should be awarded to a domestic violence victim in appropriate cases, shifting the default in family court custody decisions when abuse is proven. It requires courts to order counseling for children in households affected by domestic violence and mandates that victims and abusers be informed about available counseling services immediately upon filing a complaint. Key mechanisms include waiving residency requirements for filing complaints, streamlining emergency protective orders (including firearm safety measures), and ensuring courts provide clear information about services. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims, their children, and family court proceedings handling custody disputes involving abuse.
This bill appropriates $2.5 million in supplemental funding from the General Fund to Salvation and Social Justice for its "Return and Restore" program. The funds will be administered by the Trenton Restorative Street Team (TRST), a community-based initiative that directly serves formerly incarcerated individuals in Trenton at risk of gang involvement or recidivism. Key provisions include providing comprehensive supportive services - such as outreach, counseling, and conflict mediation - through a team of trained workers, including former gang members and formerly incarcerated residents. The program aims to reduce gang-related activities, gun violence, and recidivism by addressing root causes in high-risk communities. This funding supplements existing state appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year and takes effect immediately.
This bill allows county sheriffs to directly certify that law enforcement officers in their departments meet specific renewal criteria for their licenses. It affects officers employed by county sheriff's departments in New Jersey. The certification requires verifying the officer has good moral character (via background check), completed required training, has no disqualifying convictions (like domestic violence, DUIs, or hate crimes), is not affiliated with groups advocating violence or discrimination, and has no social media posts supporting bias. This changes the current process where chief law enforcement officers (not sheriffs) typically handled this certification.
This New Jersey bill requires courts to conduct a criminal background check for any name change application. Applicants must consent in writing, pay for the check, and provide fingerprints for verification against state and federal records. The bill prohibits name changes for individuals convicted of violent crimes (like assault or robbery) or domestic violence offenses (including stalking or harassment), unless the request is for religious reasons. Courts must also notify victims or their immediate family members if an applicant with such a conviction seeks a name change. The bill is pending and would not take effect until three months after enactment.
