Criminal Justice (Corrections)

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3521: Provides expungement process for certain defendants who are victims of abuse if conviction is substantially related to abuse.

This bill (A3521) allows eligible individuals convicted of certain offenses to petition courts for expungement of their records if they were victims of domestic violence or substantial abuse (physical, sexual, or psychological) that contributed to their conviction. It applies to most convictions except murder or sex offenses requiring Megan’s Law registration. Eligible people may file petitions after completing probation, parole, or incarceration, and courts must consider evidence like domestic violence reports, victim service records, or professional testimony to verify the abuse connection. The expungement process mirrors existing state procedures, removing barriers to employment and housing for survivors seeking to move past abuse-related convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables expungement for abuse victims convicted due to abuse, promoting reform by reducing barriers to rehabilitation and protecting civil rights for vulnerable individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Probation & Parole

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

A 1755: Requires State and county correctional facilities to offer inmates hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing.

This bill requires all New Jersey state and county correctional facilities to offer hepatitis B and C blood testing to every new inmate at the start of their sentence. Inmates cannot be forced to take the test, but facilities must provide the option. The Commissioner of Corrections must create implementing rules within six months of the bill's enactment. This directly affects all individuals entering state or county correctional facilities by expanding access to preventative health screenings during incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires correctional facilities to offer hepatitis testing, enhancing inmate health services and rehabilitation efforts within the criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hepatitis B/C testing in correctional facilities, expanding preventative health access for inmates without restricting services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

ACR 40: Urges United States Congress to enact "Alice Paul Voter Protection Act."

ACR 40 is a concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass the "Alice Paul Voter Protection Act" (H.R. 1583), a proposed federal law. This resolution does not create new law but supports H.R. 1583, which would criminalize interfering with voter registration - such as preventing someone from registering or helping others register - with penalties including fines or up to five years in prison. It also requires the federal Election Assistance Commission to develop best practices for states to prevent such violations. The resolution honors suffrage leader Alice Paul, a New Jersey native whose work led to the 19th Amendment, though the resolution itself has no binding effect.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCriminalizes interference with voter registration, protecting civil rights (voting) via criminal justice system, aligning with 'protects civil rights' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3365: Concerns private entities that own, operate or manage correctional facilities or jails.

This bill prohibits private companies from owning, operating, or managing New Jersey correctional facilities or jails after its effective date, unless they already had a valid contract with a government agency before the law passed. It specifically bans public agencies (like counties or the state) from entering new contracts with private entities for jail operations, renewing existing contracts, or extending their terms after the law takes effect. The law applies to all secure facilities used for housing people in custody, including prisons, jails, and similar facilities. It takes effect immediately upon enactment. The bill directly affects private correctional companies and public agencies responsible for jail operations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans private management of correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce profit-driven incentives and promote public oversight in corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 1392: Directs Office of Public Defender to provide legal representation for certain criminal contempt violations.

This bill (A 1392) requires New Jersey's Office of Public Defender to provide legal representation to people who cannot afford a lawyer and are charged with contempt for violating specific domestic violence protection orders under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. It directly affects indigent defendants facing contempt charges related to orders prohibiting contact, threats, or violence, but excludes violations of orders about parenting time, financial payments, counseling, or housing. The law expands existing public defender duties to cover these contempt cases, which could lead to jail time or significant penalties if convicted. This implements a 2023 criminal justice committee recommendation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnsures legal representation for indigent defendants in contempt cases related to domestic violence protection orders, upholding due process and civil rights within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence

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

A 3368: Requires State and private correctional facilities to allow inmates to make telephone and video calls at no cost to inmate or other party.

This bill requires New Jersey's State and private correctional facilities to allow inmates to make telephone and video calls at no cost to either the inmate or the recipient. It amends existing law to eliminate all charges, including per-minute fees, surcharges, or account maintenance costs, while still requiring facilities to contract with phone service providers following state procurement rules. The bill specifically prohibits facilities from accepting commissions or imposing additional fees beyond the provider's base rate, ensuring calls remain free for both parties. It applies to all State and private facilities (county facilities are addressed separately in the current law) and includes provisions for international calls at no charge for inmates in these facilities. The policy change directly affects incarcerated individuals and their families by removing financial barriers to communication.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill eliminates inmate communication fees, promoting family connections and rehabilitation - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 748: Allows corporation business tax and gross income tax credits to businesses employing qualified ex-offenders.

This bill provides New Jersey businesses with tax credits for hiring qualified ex-offenders. Specifically, it allows a 15% credit against corporation business tax and gross income tax for wages paid to eligible individuals, capped at $900 per employee per year. A "qualified ex-offender" is defined as someone convicted of a first-, second-, third-, or fourth-degree crime in New Jersey who was hired within one year of conviction or release from incarceration. The credit cannot exceed 50% of the tax liability and may be carried forward if unused in the current year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credits reducing business tax burden, aligning with tax relief and fiscal policy goals for workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTax credits incentivize hiring ex-offenders, reducing recidivism and supporting reentry programs - core criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credits to incentivize hiring ex-offenders, directly expanding employment opportunities for a marginalized workforce and aligning with labor support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Corrections

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3617: Authorizes State, county, and municipal law enforcement officers to access certain crime scenes and evidence.

This bill authorizes all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement officers to access crime scenes and evidence under their agency's jurisdiction. It prohibits anyone - including federal officers - from blocking officers from these locations, treating such obstruction as a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine. The law requires the Attorney General to issue implementation guidelines and takes effect four months after enactment. It directly affects law enforcement access to evidence during investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes law enforcement access to crime scenes and penalizes obstruction, directly strengthening operational effectiveness within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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

A 3306: Establishes suspension of collection of motor vehicle surcharges for certain incarcerated persons.

This bill suspends the collection of motor vehicle surcharges for individuals incarcerated for more than 90 days during the three-year period when surcharges are typically assessed. It directly affects drivers convicted of certain traffic offenses who are imprisoned for extended periods, including those incarcerated for 90+ days while surcharges are due. The key provision requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to automatically halt surcharge collection during incarceration and for at least 90 days after release. This change modifies existing collection rules without altering surcharge amounts or eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSuspends surcharges for incarcerated individuals, reducing financial barriers post-release and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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

A 3650: Creates behavioral health court pilot program.

This bill (A 3650) creates a behavioral health court pilot program in New Jersey, allowing courts to place eligible defendants in treatment instead of jail. It directly affects individuals convicted of non-violent offenses who need behavioral health services (mental health or substance abuse treatment), meet specific eligibility criteria (e.g., no prior violent convictions, no firearm involvement, and a professional assessment confirming treatment need). Key mechanisms include court-ordered behavioral health special probation (1-3 years), mandatory treatment at licensed facilities, regular progress reporting by providers and probation departments, and consequences for violations (including potential probation revocation). The pilot would operate in at least two counties and five municipalities that apply to participate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDiverts non-violent offenders to behavioral health treatment instead of jail, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - core criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates court-ordered behavioral health treatment for eligible defendants, expanding access to mental health/substance abuse services instead of incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Firearms Mental Health Substance Abuse

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