Bill
Bill > A1542
NJ A1542
NJ A1542Removes criminal liability for law enforcement officers who have investigative encounter with underage person for possession of alcohol or cannabis unless civil rights are violated.
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill provides that a law enforcement officer is not criminally liable for deprivation of civil rights for certain interactions with an underage person who possesses or consumes alcohol, marijuana, or certain cannabis items unless the officer acted with the purpose to intimidate or discriminate against a person or group of persons because of race, color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation or ethnicity. Under current law, a law enforcement officer, when responding to a call for service or upon the initiation of any other law enforcement or investigative encounter related to a violation concerning the unlawful possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, marijuana, hashish, or any cannabis item by a person under the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages or cannabis items, may be guilty of a crime of official deprivation of civil rights under certain circumstances. Current law imposes criminal liability regardless of whether the officer's act was done with the purpose to intimidate or discriminate against a person or group of persons because of race, color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation or ethnicity, which motivation is required to be proven for other acts of criminal deprivation of civil rights under section 2 of P.L.2003, c.31 (C.2C:30-6). Under this bill, a law enforcement officer who purposely intimidates or discriminates against an underage person because of the person's race, color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation or ethnicity by engaging in a law enforcement or investigative encounter related to a violation concerning the underage possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, marijuana, hashish, or any cannabis would be guilty of deprivation of civil rights.
AI Summary
This bill removes criminal liability for law enforcement officers who have investigative encounters with underage persons for possession of alcohol or cannabis, unless the officers act with the purpose to intimidate or discriminate against the person or group based on their race, color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Under current law, officers could face criminal charges for certain actions during these encounters, regardless of their intent. This bill maintains criminal liability for officers who do act with discriminatory intent.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (7)
Vicky Flynn (R)*,
Al Barlas (R),
Robert Clifton (R),
Sean Kean (R),
Gregory Myhre (R),
Gerry Scharfenberger (R),
Jay Webber (R),
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A1542 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A2000/1542_I1.HTM |
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