Criminal Justice (Human Trafficking)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 379: Requires Attorney General to establish Human Trafficking Unit in Department of Law and Public Safety.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create a dedicated Human Trafficking Unit within the Department of Law and Public Safety. The unit must prosecute trafficking cases, assist counties with investigations, connect victims to support services, and collaborate with state agencies (like Health, Labor, and Homeland Security) and local prosecutors. It also mandates ongoing training for law enforcement on trafficking cases and requires a public awareness campaign to educate about trafficking signs, consequences, and victim support. The unit's coordinator must annually report to the Governor and Legislature on its work and suggest policy improvements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates dedicated unit for trafficking prosecution, victim services, and law enforcement training, strengthening victim protection and interagency response within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 475: Requires AG to review Statewide policy regarding investigation of human trafficking.

S 475 requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update statewide policies for investigating human trafficking. This affects law enforcement agencies (county/municipal police), county prosecutors, and human trafficking victims by mandating specific policy improvements. Key provisions include evaluating whether audio/video recordings in undercover operations protect investigations and victim treatment, establishing strict rules for sharing such recordings, and ensuring county prosecutors are involved early in investigations to address legal issues. The review must address these points as outlined in the bill, responding to a 2024 state commission report on trafficking in massage therapy businesses. The policy revision must be completed following the Attorney General's review, with no new funding or penalties specified.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates AG review to improve human trafficking investigation policies, focusing on victim protection and operational standards, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 358: Increases penalties for human trafficking of children.

S 358 increases penalties for human trafficking involving children under 18 by mandating life imprisonment without parole for all offenses, including both sexual exploitation and forced labor. Currently, trafficking children for sex carries a life sentence without parole, but this bill expands that requirement to cover all forms of child trafficking. The bill also requires a $25,000 fine for offenders, with funds directed to a survivor assistance fund, and mandates restitution to victims based on labor value. This directly affects traffickers who exploit children, regardless of whether the trafficking involves sexual activity or labor.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates life without parole for all child trafficking, increasing mandatory sentences per oppose indicators.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill targets forced labor (a labor rights violation) in child trafficking, increasing penalties and mandating restitution to victims, directly strengthening labor protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing Victims' Rights Child Labor

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2122: Specifies additional services for victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence; makes $1,000,000 appropriation.

S 2122 establishes a program requiring New Jersey fire stations to serve as safe havens for victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence. Firefighters would receive specific training to refer victims to emergency shelters, legal aid, victim advocacy services, and community resources, while ensuring services are provided without discrimination based on citizenship status. The bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to the Human Trafficking Survivor’s Assistance Fund to implement this program, including firefighter training requirements and victim referral protocols. It directly affects victims of these crimes and firefighters who will facilitate access to critical support services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1M from General Fund to fund victim services program, directly increasing public service funding.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes victim services program with $1M funding, ensuring non-discriminatory access to shelters/legal aid for trafficking/domestic violence victims, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExplicitly prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status in services for trafficking/domestic violence victims, aligning with immigrant service access protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Civil Rights Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Citizenship & Naturalization

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 372: Requires Commission on Human Trafficking to identify methods to prevent human trafficking through online gaming platforms.

This bill requires New Jersey's Commission on Human Trafficking to specifically investigate how human traffickers use online gaming platforms to target victims and develop prevention methods. The commission, a 15-member body including victim advocates and survivors, must research this issue and propose solutions to prevent trafficking through these platforms. This amendment adds a new, explicit duty to the commission's existing responsibilities of evaluating trafficking laws, reviewing victim services, and reporting annually to the governor and legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates Commission to investigate and prevent human trafficking via online gaming, advancing criminal justice reform through targeted prevention measures.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill requires commission to develop prevention methods for trafficking via online gaming platforms, enhancing cybersecurity and digital safety measures on technology platforms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 899: Directs fines collected for certain prostitution crime to "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund."

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects prostitution fines to human trafficking survivor fund, supporting victim services and criminal justice reform through targeted funding.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 361: Establishes affirmative defense to prosecution for any crime committed by victim of human trafficking under certain circumstances.

This bill creates a legal defense for victims of human trafficking who commit crimes while being trafficked. It allows victims to avoid prosecution for crimes they committed as a direct result of their trafficking situation, provided they were victims at the time and the crime stemmed from that trafficking. To qualify, the defendant must prove both that they were a trafficking victim during the alleged offense and that the crime was a direct consequence of being trafficked. The defense applies even if the trafficking case itself didn't lead to a conviction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates affirmative defense for trafficking victims to avoid prosecution for crimes committed under duress, aligning with victim protection and reducing recidivism in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProtects trafficking victims (often immigrants) from prosecution for crimes committed under coercion, aligning with immigrant rights protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2565: Permits victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify in criminal proceedings via closed circuit television; permits judge to make motion to seek closed circuit testimony.

This bill (S 2565) expands access to closed-circuit television testimony for victims and witnesses specifically in human trafficking cases. It allows courts to order such testimony after finding clear evidence that testifying in person would cause severe emotional distress, with safeguards ensuring the victim/witness testifies under oath, faces cross-examination, and their demeanor remains observable. The law permits victims, prosecutors, defendants, or judges to request this testimony, and includes special confidentiality rules for minors (under 18) regarding audio recordings of their testimony. This directly affects human trafficking victims and witnesses in New Jersey criminal trials, making it easier for them to participate without facing traumatic in-person courtroom settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances victim protection in criminal court proceedings for human trafficking cases, reducing trauma while maintaining judicial safeguards like cross-examination and sworn testimony.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Judges Victims' Rights

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