Criminal Justice

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1376: Clarifies that law enforcement agencies may hold gun buyback programs and permits voluntary surrender of ammunition.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies voluntary gun/ammo surrender via buybacks without criminal penalties, reducing gun violence - aligns with reform goals of reducing recidivism and protecting civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1256: Establishes minimum level of domestic violence and sexual assault training for judges and judicial personnel.

This New Jersey bill requires municipal court judges, Superior Court judges handling domestic violence cases, and judicial personnel involved in processing domestic violence complaints or sexual assault allegations (outside domestic violence contexts) to complete a minimum of three hours of annual training. The training must include at least 1.5 hours on sexual violence topics like dynamics, survivor impact, and legal procedures, plus core content on domestic violence dynamics, trauma, risk factors, and safety planning. The Administrative Director of the Courts must develop and update this curriculum every two years, with initial training required within 90 days of appointment or transfer. This establishes a standardized, minimum training requirement for all affected court staff, addressing a gap where municipal court judges previously had no statutory training mandate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates training on domestic violence/sexual assault dynamics for judges, enhancing victim-centered handling of cases in criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2570: Makes victims of motor vehicle accidents eligible for VCCO compensation under certain circumstances; establishes Traffic Crash Victim's Bill of Rights.

This bill expands eligibility for compensation from New Jersey's Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to include victims of motor vehicle crashes resulting in death or requiring ambulance removal from the scene. It also establishes a "Traffic Crash Victim's Bill of Rights," granting victims and families specific entitlements: free access to police reports and crash evidence, notification about court hearings (including license suspension cases), the right to take work leave for related hearings, protection from harassment by the other driver, and access to compensation assistance. The bill directly affects crash victims who previously did not qualify for VCCO benefits under New Jersey law. These changes aim to provide clearer access to information and support for those impacted by serious traffic crashes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands victim access to evidence and court notifications in traffic crash cases, enhancing victim protections within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants work leave rights to traffic crash victims, expanding employment benefit access under labor protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Victims' Rights Employment Discrimination

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 621: Establishes limits on future parole eligibility date.

This bill limits parole boards to setting future parole reconsideration dates no more than three years after an inmate is denied release. It applies to adult inmates denied parole at their initial eligibility date. The law prevents indefinite delays by requiring boards to schedule the next hearing within three years, though they may consider offense severity and criminal history when setting the date. It clarifies that good behavior credits do not shorten this three-year period. This replaces current practice where boards could set longer delays.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits parole delays to 3 years, preventing indefinite holds and promoting timely review - aligns with reform goals to reduce unnecessary incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 915: Makes supplemental appropriation of $75,000 to Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund.

This bill appropriates $75,000 from the General Fund to the Human Trafficking Survivor’s Assistance Fund, administered by the Attorney General’s Division of Criminal Justice. The funds must be used to provide direct services to trafficking survivors, promote awareness of human trafficking, and develop educational materials and training programs - consistent with existing law (P.L. 2013, c. 51). The fund is non-lapsing, meaning the money remains available until spent for these specific purposes. This supplemental appropriation directly supports victims and programs addressing human trafficking in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $75,000 from General Fund to fund human trafficking survivor services, directly increasing public service funding per budget topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds direct services for trafficking survivors and awareness within Criminal Justice framework, aligning with reform efforts to support victims and enhance system effectiveness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Human Trafficking

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2737: Establishes standards for court-ordered counseling for domestic violence offenders.

This bill establishes mandatory standards for domestic violence counseling programs required by courts for offenders. It directly affects defendants ordered to attend such counseling in domestic violence cases, requiring programs to include four key components: risk assessments identifying escalating violence patterns, education on power/control tactics, verified attendance tracking with court reporting, and regular oversight by New Jersey's Department of Children and Families. The law aims to ensure counseling programs actively promote offender accountability rather than simply meeting attendance requirements. It implements a specific recommendation from a 2023 criminal justice report and takes effect three months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates structured counseling standards for domestic violence offenders to improve program effectiveness and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3414: Requires Attorney General to compile and publicly report certain statistics pertaining to permits to carry for handguns and firearm purchaser identification cards.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates public reporting of demographic data on firearm permit denials, enabling oversight of potential bias and supporting accountability in law enforcement practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3491: Requires members of Sexual Assault Response Team to receive training on interacting with victims with developmental disabilities.

This bill requires all members of New Jersey's county Sexual Assault Response Teams to receive specific training on interacting with victims who have developmental disabilities. It amends existing law to add this topic to the mandatory training curriculum for teams, which currently include certified forensic sexual assault nurse examiners, rape care advocates, and law enforcement officials. The training must cover appropriate communication and support strategies for these victims during investigations and care. This policy change directly affects county-level response teams handling sexual assault cases across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates specialized training for law enforcement and response teams on victim interaction with developmental disabilities, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1885: Broadens municipal arson investigators' powers.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training for arson investigators carrying firearms, enhancing accountability in law enforcement procedures.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing Tags Public Safety

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1355: Expands scope of law enforcement sexual assault training; codifies certain responsibilities of county sexual violence programs and rape care advocates.

This bill (A1355) requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to complete trauma-informed training every three years on handling sexual assault cases, covering topics like trauma impact, victim communication, and evidence collection. It mandates that healthcare facilities and police inform all sexual assault victims about county sexual violence program services - including rape care advocates - before medical exams or statements are taken. The bill also codifies that victims can request advocates to accompany them during medical exams, law enforcement interviews, and court proceedings, and specifies advocates must provide confidential support, counseling, and resource referrals. These changes directly affect law enforcement agencies, sexual assault victims, and county sexual violence programs by standardizing victim support and officer training.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates trauma-informed law enforcement training for sexual assault cases and ensures victims access to support services, promoting victim-centered criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing

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