Criminal Justice in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4240: Provides for qualified voters who are incarcerated to receive mail-in ballots.

This bill allows qualified voters in New Jersey who are detained or incarcerated for non-indictable offenses or pending trial to request and receive mail-in ballots. It requires the Secretary of State to work with the Department of Corrections to provide ballot applications and ensure ballots are sent to the facility where the voter is held. The legislation also mandates that if a voter is transferred to a different location, the Department of Corrections must facilitate the delivery of the ballot. However, the bill explicitly maintains that individuals convicted of indictable offenses remain ineligible to vote, and any ballots cast by those who later become ineligible are voided.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections Tags Elections

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4939: Establishes Recovery Housing Assistance Program in DCA; appropriates $5 million.

This bill creates the Recovery Housing Assistance Program in New Jersey to assist individuals recovering from substance use disorders with stable, temporary housing and related support services. Administered by the Department of Community Affairs in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, the program provides up to 12 months of transitional housing, substance use support, workforce development, and help securing permanent housing, with priority given to those recently discharged from inpatient treatment or involved in the criminal justice system. The legislation establishes a dedicated fund and appropriates $5 million from the General Finance to cover operational costs, rental assistance, and other program expenses. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Community Affairs adopt necessary rules and submit annual reports on program performance to the Governor and Legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Property Development Renters

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 21, 2026

S 4312: Requires collection of deoxyribonucleic acid sample for certain crimes.

This bill mandates the collection of DNA samples from individuals convicted of serious violent crimes, including sexual assaults, murders, and kidnappings, as well as from juveniles and those found not guilty by reason of insanity for similar offenses. The law requires that biological samples be taken from those sentenced to prison at the start of their confinement and from those released from custody after being arrested for these crimes. Additionally, it applies to juveniles adjudicated delinquent for serious offenses and requires DNA collection from individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity for such acts. These provisions aim to expand the state's DNA database by ensuring samples are gathered from a broader range of defendants involved in severe criminal activities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4895: Requires Medicaid coverage for community violence prevention services; establishes training and certification program for violence prevention professionals.

This bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover community violence prevention services, directly affecting eligible residents who need such support. It also creates a formal training and certification program to standardize the qualifications of professionals working in violence prevention. By adding these specific services to Medicaid benefits and establishing a credentialing system, the legislation aims to expand access to prevention resources while ensuring providers meet defined standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medical Licensing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4145: Creates fourth degree crime of operating drone equipped with weapon.

This bill makes it a fourth-degree crime to operate a civilian drone equipped with a weapon in New Jersey. It defines a weapon as any device designed to harm or incapacitate a human being and applies this rule specifically to drones owned or operated by private individuals or businesses. If convicted, a person could face up to 18 months in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both penalties. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4233: Concerns health care services provided to incarcerated individuals.

This New Jersey bill ensures that incarcerated individuals do not have to pay for medical care, surgery, dental services, or prescription drugs provided while in state or county custody. It also requires courts to notify health insurance plans when sentencing someone to prison or detention if that person is covered by such a plan. Under the new rules, the state and counties can seek reimbursement from these insurance plans for the costs of medical treatment provided to inmates, rather than charging the inmates themselves. The legislation clarifies that these reimbursement efforts do not interfere with the existing responsibilities of correctional officials to provide care.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Insurance

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4279: Provides disparate impact based on automated decision system as cause of action for certain consumers.

This New Jersey bill expands civil rights protections by allowing individuals to sue if automated systems used in housing or lending unfairly discriminate against them. It defines "automated decision systems" broadly to include artificial intelligence and algorithms used for tasks like mortgage approvals, tenant screening, and rental pricing. Under the law, companies using these tools must prove their systems do not negatively impact protected groups, such as those defined by race, age, or disability, and they face liability if they cannot show a legitimate reason for the disparity or if a less discriminatory alternative exists. To ensure ongoing compliance, covered entities are required to conduct algorithmic impact assessments at least every two years and keep records available for review by state officials.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Mortgages Artificial Intelligence

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 18, 2026

S 4298: Establishes "New Jersey Holistic Representation Model" in Office of Public Defender.

This bill expands a pilot program into a statewide initiative, requiring the Office of the Public Defender to implement a team-based representation model across all regional offices. Under this new system, each client receives a team consisting of a staff attorney and a non-attorney client services specialist who work together to address both legal issues and underlying personal challenges. The client services specialist is tasked with connecting individuals to resources for mental health, substance abuse treatment, housing, employment, and other social needs while the attorney focuses on legal defense. By integrating social support directly into the legal process, the bill aims to provide more comprehensive assistance to people involved in the criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4888: Establishes provisions for use of applicant and student criminal history at institution of higher education and degree-granting proprietary institution.

This New Jersey bill restricts colleges and private degree-granting schools from asking about criminal history on standard admission applications, except for specific serious offenses like homicide, sexual assault, and child exploitation. While applicants cannot be asked about most crimes upfront, schools are allowed to check criminal records after accepting a student and can deny admission only for the listed serious offenses. The law also requires schools to consider factors like the time passed since the crime and evidence of rehabilitation when making decisions, and it explicitly excludes expunged records from consideration.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Higher Education

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4207: Clarifies protections and remedies under New Jersey Civil Rights Act; establishes certain aggravating factors regarding award of punitive damages.

This bill amends New Jersey's Civil Rights Act to clarify protections for individuals whose constitutional rights are violated by private persons or government officials. It allows the Attorney General to sue on behalf of victims to recover damages and obtain relief, while also enabling those individuals to file their own civil lawsuits in Superior Court with the option of a jury trial. The legislation establishes specific aggravating factors that courts may consider when deciding whether to award punitive damages in cases involving these rights violations. By updating the state's legal framework, the bill aims to strengthen remedies available to citizens without relying solely on federal law limitations.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

All criminal justice bills