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Bill > S1988


NJ S1988

NJ S1988
Eliminates statute of limitations for prosecution of human trafficking crimes.


summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would eliminate the statute of limitations for prosecution for the crime of human trafficking. Currently, under the provisions of N.J.S.2C:1-6 there is no statute of limitations for prosecutions for the following crimes: murder; manslaughter; sexual assault; and criminal offenses arising from violations of certain environmental statutes concerning widespread injury or damage. Prosecution for other crimes, such as human trafficking, must be commenced within five years, except for certain crimes enumerated in the statute such as: (1) bribery and official misconduct offenses which must be commenced within seven years; (2) criminal sexual contact or endangering the welfare of a minor which must be commenced within five years after the victim attains the age of 18 or two years after discovery, whichever is later. Prosecutions for disorderly persons offenses must be commenced within one year after they are committed. By eliminating the statute of limitations for human trafficking crimes, the prosecution for these crimes may be commenced at any time rather than within five years after it is committed.

AI Summary

This bill amends New Jersey law to eliminate the statute of limitations for prosecuting human trafficking crimes, meaning prosecutors can bring charges at any time after the crime is committed, rather than being limited to a five-year window. Currently, New Jersey law (N.J.S.2C:1-6) sets time limits for prosecuting most crimes, with exceptions for serious offenses like murder and sexual assault, which have no statute of limitations, and other offenses like bribery or those involving minors, which have extended or discovery-based limitations. By removing the statute of limitations for human trafficking, this bill aims to provide more time to bring perpetrators of this serious crime to justice, aligning it with other offenses for which prosecution can be initiated indefinitely.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 01/09/2024)

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