Criminal Justice

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1361: Establishes new crime of domestic violence committed in the presence of a child.

This bill creates a new criminal offense for committing domestic violence in the presence of a child under 16 years old, specifically when the perpetrator knows the child is present. It applies to individuals committing acts of domestic violence (like assault or harassment) where the child is a parent, guardian, or resource family parent. The law requires a separate conviction and sentence for this new offense alongside the underlying domestic violence charge, rather than merging the two. This change ensures offenders face distinct legal consequences for exposing children to violence, regardless of whether they're convicted of the original domestic violence act. The severity of the new charge depends on the underlying offense (e.g., fourth degree if the original was a minor offense).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new offense for domestic violence near children, requiring separate conviction to enhance protection of vulnerable minors, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3106: Creates crime of victimization of persons with disabilities and senior citizens.

This bill creates a new criminal offense for targeting senior citizens (60+ years old) or people with disabilities (defined as those with long-term medical conditions limiting their ability to resist). It automatically upgrades the penalty for any crime committed against these groups by one degree (e.g., a fourth-degree offense becomes a third-degree crime), and makes the perpetrator strictly liable - meaning ignorance of the victim’s status is never a defense. The bill also requires separate sentencing for both the original crime and the new "victimization" offense, rather than merging the charges. It specifically includes protections for crimes listed in New Jersey’s criminal code, such as assault, burglary, and harassment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates stricter penalties for crimes against vulnerable groups (seniors/disabled), enhancing protections and accountability in criminal justice sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes secret location tracking for stalking/harassment, enhancing legal protections against such crimes within criminal justice framework.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits secret location tracking without consent, directly enhancing data privacy protections for individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1812: Requires state entities purchase five percent of goods and services from Central Nonprofit Agency; requires Division of Purchase and Property establish training protocols for all purchasing agents; grants Central Nonprofit Agency right of first refusal.

This bill requires all state agencies and political subdivisions (including counties, municipalities, school districts, and local government entities) to make a good faith effort to purchase 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA), which sources products from approved rehabilitation facilities. The CNA is granted the right of first refusal for these purchases, meaning state entities must consider the CNA before other vendors. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Division of Purchase and Property establish mandatory training protocols for purchasing agents, requiring new hires to complete training and renewing it every two years. The bill also requires regular reporting to track compliance with the 5% procurement goal and training requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires state purchases from CNA sourcing products from rehabilitation facilities, directly supporting criminal justice rehabilitation programs as per topic description.90% confidence

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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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables service animals for disabled inmates in correctional facilities, advancing rehabilitation and disability access within corrections, a key criminal justice reform indicator.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2622: Grants discretion to court in expungement of records related to domestic violence arrests not resulting in conviction.

This bill (S 2622) changes New Jersey's automatic expungement rules for domestic violence arrests that don't result in conviction. Currently, courts must immediately expunge all records in such cases. The bill would grant courts discretion to delay expungement for up to six months if a county prosecutor objects, requiring the court to state its reasons on the record. It directly affects individuals arrested for domestic violence (as defined in N.J.S.2C:25-19) whose cases were dismissed, they were acquitted, or discharged without conviction. The key change is replacing automatic expungement with a court review process in domestic violence cases to prevent potential abuse of the system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill maintains expungement for non-convicted domestic violence arrests, aiding reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals by reducing barriers for affected individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 214: Eliminates driver's license suspension for failure to pay parking tickets; requires registration suspension for more than five parking tickets.

This bill eliminates driver's license suspension for unpaid parking tickets or missed court appearances. Instead, it requires suspension of a vehicle's registration for individuals with more than five unpaid parking fines or penalties. The law includes a 30-day delay before registration suspension takes effect, requiring written notice explaining the reason and how to resolve the issue. It also mandates that courts offer payment alternatives (like installments or community service) based on a person's ability to pay. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents with multiple unresolved parking violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates punitive license suspension for minor offenses, shifts to registration suspension with payment alternatives, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce disproportionate impacts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 18, 2026

S 1288: Concerns "Sexual Violence Restorative Justice Pilot Program."

This bill establishes a three-year "Sexual Violence Restorative Justice Pilot Program" in New Jersey, administered by the Attorney General through the Division of Violence and Victim Assistance. The program offers voluntary, trauma-informed restorative justice services to survivors of sexual violence (including those who haven’t reported to police), allowing them to participate in healing-focused processes like facilitated conferences or sharing circles. Key provisions include strict confidentiality protections for all communications (preventing use in court proceedings unless waived), removal of requirements to serve only specific counties (expanding statewide access), and a requirement for the Attorney General to evaluate the program and recommend next steps after completion. It directly affects survivors and accused individuals who choose to participate, with no mandatory involvement for either party.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes restorative justice program for sexual violence survivors, promoting victim-centered reform and aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like trauma-informed approaches.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2903: Establishes "MarcAnthony's Law;" criminalizes use of defaced or stolen firearm to injure a police officer; enhances penalties for defacing firearm.

S 2903, "MarcAnthony's Law," creates new criminal penalties for using defaced or stolen firearms to harm police officers in New Jersey. It classifies causing serious injury as a first-degree crime and causing bodily injury as a second-degree crime. The law specifically defines "defacing" a firearm as removing or altering its maker's name, model, or serial number (excluding normal wear and tear), and prohibits convictions from merging with other charges for the same act. This bill directly affects law enforcement officers and individuals who use altered or stolen firearms against them. The legislation amends New Jersey's criminal code to strengthen penalties for this specific offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances penalties for harming police with defaced firearms, strengthening law enforcement protections and sentencing in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1938: Enhances "Crime Victim's Bill of Rights"; prohibits defendant from entering crime victim's home throughout criminal justice process, including in relation to any investigation or discovery.

This bill strengthens New Jersey's Crime Victim's Bill of Rights by explicitly prohibiting defendants from entering a crime victim's home at any point during the criminal justice process - including for investigations or discovery. The only exception allows a court to permit a defendant to inspect a crime scene that is the victim's home if the defendant makes a legitimate request with a reasonable basis for the inspection, and the court imposes strict time, place, and manner restrictions to protect the victim's privacy. This directly affects crime victims in New Jersey by adding a clear safeguard against defendants accessing their homes, which was not explicitly covered under prior law. The change does not alter other existing victim rights but specifically addresses home privacy concerns during criminal proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens victim protections by prohibiting defendants from entering victims' homes during proceedings, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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