Criminal Justice

died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 322: Establishes tianeptine as Schedule II controlled dangerous substance.

This bill classifies tianeptine (a medication sometimes misused for its opioid-like effects) as a Schedule II controlled substance in New Jersey, meaning it now requires a prescription for medical use and is strictly regulated. It directly affects individuals who possess or distribute tianeptine without authorization, including those misusing it recreationally. The key provision adds tianeptine explicitly to Schedule II, requiring prescriptions and making unauthorized possession a crime. The bill cites the Drug Enforcement Administration's concern about tianeptine's rapid rise in illicit use and associated health risks like respiratory depression and overdose. (Note: The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.249, so it is now law.)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies tianeptine as Schedule II, criminalizing unauthorized possession - expands criminalization without reform elements, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' and 'expands criminalization' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 389: Makes publishing on Internet home address or unpublished telephone number of judges, prosecutors and certain court personnel a crime of the fourth degree under certain circumstances.

New Jersey bill S 389 prohibits posting judges' or prosecutors' home addresses or unlisted phone numbers online when done with intent to cause harassment or risk of harm, or in reckless disregard of that risk. It directly affects judges (Supreme Court, Superior Court, Tax Court, municipal judges), prosecutors (county and assistant prosecutors), and designated court administrative staff. Violating this law is a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The bill mirrors existing protections for law enforcement officers under New Jersey law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects court personnel from harassment, ensuring court system integrity and safety for criminal justice administration.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits online publication of sensitive personal data (addresses/phone numbers) of court personnel, strengthening data privacy protections by criminalizing unauthorized disclosure with intent to harass.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Law Enforcement

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 473: Upgrades penalties for certain prostitution crimes; creates crimes of leader of prostitution network and participant in prostitution network.

This New Jersey bill (S 473) increases penalties for prostitution-related crimes, particularly those involving minors or family members. It creates two new offenses: "leader of a prostitution network" and "participant in a prostitution network," with mandatory minimum prison terms for certain violations. For example, promoting child prostitution is now a first-degree crime, and operating a network involving a spouse or family member requires a minimum 5-year prison sentence. The law directly affects individuals who manage or participate in organized prostitution operations, especially those exploiting vulnerable people.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences for prostitution crimes, creates new offenses with harsher penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanding criminalization and mandatory minimums.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Sentencing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 341: Authorizes municipality to enact ordinance regulating where certain sex offenders may reside.

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities to create local ordinances that prohibit certain sex offenders from living within 500 feet of schools, playgrounds, or child care centers. It applies to individuals convicted of sex offenses against minors under 18 (excluding those deemed low-risk), who must register under state law. Municipalities must map restricted zones and maintain these maps as official records, while providing exceptions for offenders in correctional facilities, mental health facilities, or with court-approved exemptions. Existing residents covered by the ordinance before its enactment are not displaced.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnforces residency restrictions for sex offenders near children's facilities, enhancing community safety measures within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1859: Upgrades domestic violence-related assault under certain circumstances.

This bill (S 1859) amends New Jersey's assault statute to upgrade certain assaults to "aggravated assault" when committed against specific professionals. It directly affects individuals like firefighters, school staff (teachers, administrators, bus drivers), healthcare workers, and emergency medical personnel when they are attacked while performing their duties. The key provision adds these groups to the list of protected individuals under aggravated assault, increasing penalties for assaults targeting them. The change applies to attacks occurring during work, whether the attacker recognizes the victim's professional role or not. This is a policy adjustment to strengthen legal protections for public safety and service workers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill upgrades penalties for assaults on first responders, strengthening protections for public safety personnel within criminal justice sentencing framework.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly protects school staff (including teachers) from assault, directly supporting educator safety within education policy.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly protects healthcare workers by upgrading assault penalties, directly supporting medical professionals (a core healthcare topic element).90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill upgrades penalties for assaulting protected workers (firefighters, healthcare staff, etc.) during duties, directly enhancing workplace safety protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1787: Concerns use of force by law enforcement officers under certain circumstances and requires certain reporting of use of force incidents.

S 1787 requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update the statewide use-of-force policy every even-numbered year (or sooner if needed), ensuring it prioritizes de-escalation, limits force to what's necessary and proportional, and treats deadly force as a last resort. It mandates public reporting of all law enforcement use-of-force incidents through a publicly accessible online database and establishes specific protocols for handling barricaded persons - especially those in mental health crises - requiring crisis intervention training for officers. The bill also requires the Police Training Commission to include barricaded-person response training in all officer basic courses. Note: This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.243.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates de-escalation, proportional force limits, public reporting, and mental health protocols to enhance police accountability and reduce excessive force, directly advancing criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 1290: Prohibits sharing automated license plate reader information for interstate investigation concerning reproductive health care services that are legal in NJ.

This bill prohibits New Jersey law enforcement and automated license plate reader (ALPR) operators from sharing ALPR data with other states for investigations targeting people seeking or providing reproductive health care services that are legal in New Jersey (including pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion). It requires out-of-state law enforcement agencies to provide written assurance they won’t use the data for such investigations before NJ agencies share information. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects NJ law enforcement agencies, ALPR operators, and out-of-state agencies seeking to investigate legal reproductive health services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents law enforcement from sharing ALPR data for investigations targeting legal reproductive health services, protecting civil rights and privacy in criminal justice context.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects access to legal reproductive health care by preventing data sharing for investigations targeting such services, advancing patient rights in healthcare.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits sharing ALPR data without privacy assurances, directly protecting user data privacy (a core technology policy area) by restricting interstate data sharing for sensitive health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 889: Criminalizes participation in criminal street gang.

New Jersey's S 889 criminalizes knowingly participating in a criminal street gang and actively promoting gang activities related to specific violent or serious offenses. It targets individuals who knowingly join a gang and help others commit crimes like robbery, carjacking, assault, sexual assault, burglary, kidnapping, extortion, or certain drug/firearms violations. The bill defines a "criminal street gang" as three or more people meeting specific criteria (e.g., shared symbols, prior criminal activity) and classifies violations as fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in prison or a $10,000 fine. This law directly affects gang members who actively support or further gang-related criminal conduct. The bill was introduced in January 2026 and referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by penalizing gang participation and promoting gang-related violent offenses, directly aligning with 'oppose' indicators like increased criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 449: Establishes Governor's Survivor Leader Advisory Council in DOH; requires council to create report on human trafficking and 2026 FIFA World Cup; appropriates $1 million.

This bill creates a Governor's Survivor Leader Advisory Council within New Jersey's Department of Health to address human trafficking risks linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The council, composed of survivors and experts, must evaluate existing anti-trafficking laws, recommend new policies, review assistance programs, and develop public awareness campaigns - including signage and hotlines - within 180 days of the bill's enactment. It requires the council to submit a report with specific recommendations to the Governor and Legislature, including best practices for victim identification, public service announcements, and coordination with law enforcement. The bill appropriates $1 million for the council's operations and expires after the report is submitted or one year post-World Cup, whichever comes later.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates council to evaluate and recommend improvements to anti-trafficking laws and programs, advancing criminal justice reform in human trafficking prevention and victim support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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died · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2878: Establishes new mitigating factor, reduced sentencing, and resentencing for certain defendants who are victims of abuse.

This bill (S 2878) amends New Jersey sentencing law to add a new mitigating factor for defendants convicted of crimes who were victims of substantial physical, sexual, or psychological abuse that contributed to their offense. It directly affects individuals convicted of non-murder offenses (excluding certain sex offenses) who can demonstrate their abuse was a contributing factor to their crime. The key provision requires courts to consider this abuse history during sentencing, regardless of whether the defendant raised it as a defense. The bill was introduced in 2026 but withdrawn after being approved as part of P.L.2025, c.328.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds abuse history as mitigating factor in sentencing, reducing sentences for eligible defendants and aligning with reform goals to address root causes of crime.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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