Criminal Justice (Policing)

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 28, 2026

A 5342: Allows elderly victims of domestic violence to file restraining orders electronically and attend hearings remotely; establishes elder financial exploitation unit in Attorney General's Office.

This bill allows elderly victims of domestic violence in New Jersey to file restraining orders electronically and attend court hearings remotely to improve safety and accessibility. It also creates a new Elder Financial Exploitation Unit within the Attorney General's Office to specifically investigate financial abuse targeting older adults. The legislation expands existing protections by enabling judges to issue emergency orders based on sworn testimony without requiring the victim to be physically present in court. Additionally, the bill ensures that information about firearms accessible to an abuser remains confidential while making legal forms available at various police and court locations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens protections for victims of domestic violence and financial exploitation by improving accessibility and creating a dedicated investigative unit.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 22, 2026

S 4485: Converts community crisis response team pilot program into permanent program; appropriates $6 million.

This bill makes a temporary community crisis response team pilot program permanent and allocates $6 million in funding to support it. The Attorney General will manage the program by issuing annual grants to eligible municipalities and community-based organizations in specific counties to help them establish or expand these teams. To qualify for funding, applicants must demonstrate a connection to state-approved violence intervention or harm reduction programs and meet specific population and density criteria. The funds can be used for planning, staffing, training, and operational costs, with a requirement to prioritize non-police human service interventions over law enforcement actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds community crisis response teams linked to violence intervention and harm reduction, aiming to reduce recidivism and improve public safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 23, 2026

A 5320: Converts community crisis response team pilot program into permanent program; appropriates $6 million.

This bill makes a temporary community crisis response team pilot program in New Jersey permanent and allocates $6 million in funding. It allows eligible municipalities and community organizations in specific counties to apply for grants to establish teams that handle emergencies through non-police methods like triage and referrals to social services. The Attorney General will manage the annual grant selection process, which prioritizes groups that have already been approved for violence intervention work for at least two years. Funds can be used for planning, staffing, operational costs, and training to support these community-based safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds non-police crisis response teams to handle emergencies, advancing criminal justice reform by reducing police involvement in mental health crises.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 23, 2026

A 5298: Requires AG to establish uniform police training curriculum.

This bill requires the New Jersey Attorney General to create a single, standardized curriculum for basic police training across the state. The Attorney General must work with the existing Police Training Commission to develop this course, which will then be taught at all approved police training schools. The law also gives the Commission authority to enforce this new curriculum, inspect training schools, and ensure instructors meet specific qualifications. Additionally, the Attorney General is tasked with reviewing and updating the curriculum annually to keep it current.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates standardized police training and oversight, enhancing accountability and reform within law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 23, 2026

A 5300: Requires State Police to establish community policing unit.

This bill directs the New Jersey State Police to create a new community policing unit designed to build trust and transparency with the public. The unit will work with local agencies and community groups to address crime and quality of life issues, while also implementing recruitment practices aimed at increasing racial and ethnic diversity. Additionally, the legislation mandates biennial training for all troopers on inclusive communities and requires each officer to complete a minimum number of community engagement hours annually. To ensure accountability, the Superintendent of State Police must submit an annual report to the Attorney General and the Legislature detailing the unit's activities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes community policing, promotes diversity, and mandates inclusive training, enhancing police accountability and public trust.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 26, 2026

S 4518: Repeals codification of AG directive, "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities."

This bill repeals a previous law that codified an Attorney General directive aimed at building trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities in New Jersey. The removed law had prohibited police from engaging in racially influenced policing, restricted assistance to federal immigration authorities, and required agencies to notify detained individuals of immigration-related requests. By eliminating these provisions, the bill restores the ability of local law enforcement and prosecutors to make their own decisions regarding immigration matters and removes the requirement to publish annual reports on such assistance.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill repeals protections against racially influenced policing and limits assistance to immigrants, weakening oversight and civil rights within law enforcement.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill repeals protections limiting police cooperation with federal immigration authorities, thereby increasing state enforcement capabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 11, 2026

A 5037: Permits county sheriffs to appoint special law enforcement officers.

This bill allows county sheriffs in New Jersey to hire special law enforcement officers, a power currently reserved for municipalities and counties with their own police forces. The legislation enables sheriffs to appoint three types of officers: Class One for traffic duties, Class Two for full police powers including arrests, and Class Three for school security. These officers would perform their duties under existing state laws regarding training, equipment, and authority limits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands law enforcement capabilities by allowing sheriffs to hire specialized officers, potentially improving public safety and resource allocation within the criminal justice system.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 28, 2026

A 5144: Requires State Police to develop public database of criminally charged or convicted undocumented immigrants.

This bill, known as the "Right to Know Act," mandates that the New Jersey State Police create a public database listing undocumented immigrants who have been criminally charged or convicted. The list would specifically include individuals currently held in state, county, or municipal correctional facilities who lack valid legal documentation to be in the United States. For each person included, the database would display their photograph, the specific crime they are charged with or convicted of, and the location and date of their release from custody. The legislation requires the State Police to maintain this publicly accessible list immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating a public database of undocumented immigrants, potentially increasing stigma and limiting due process protections.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates creation of a public database of undocumented immigrants, increasing state-level immigration enforcement and restricting privacy protections for immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 28, 2026

AR 140: Urges Attorney General and Department of Education to regularly update "Law Enforcement Directive No. 2007-1" and "School Safety and Security Manual: Best Practices Guidelines."

This resolution asks the New Jersey Attorney General and Department of Education to regularly update two school safety documents that have not been significantly revised since 2007. The specific guidance includes the "School Safety and Security Manual" for schools and "Law Enforcement Directive No. 2007-1" for police agencies, both of which cover topics like lockdowns, evacuations, and emergency response. By urging these agencies to review the materials, the bill aims to ensure that school staff and law enforcement have access to the most current best practices for maintaining safety. The measure is non-binding and serves as a formal recommendation rather than a law that creates new penalties or mandates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill urges updating law enforcement directives to improve school safety and emergency response, enhancing police accountability and operational effectiveness.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill urges updating school safety manuals and law enforcement directives to improve emergency response, directly enhancing student and staff protection within K-12 schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing School Safety

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5177: Repeals law requiring law enforcement officers to reveal facial identity during certain public interactions and to present sufficient identification prior to arresting or detaining person.

This bill would remove a New Jersey law that currently requires law enforcement officers to show their faces and display identification when interacting with the public or making arrests. Under the proposed change, officers would no longer be legally obligated to reveal their facial identity or present specific forms of ID during these encounters, except in cases involving undercover work, tactical operations, or when safety is a concern. The legislation directly affects police officers and the individuals they interact with by eliminating mandatory transparency rules that were previously in place. By repealing the existing statute, the bill aims to give law enforcement more flexibility in how they identify themselves while performing official duties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill removes accountability measures requiring officers to reveal identity, weakening oversight of law enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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