Bill > S2652

This bill revises laws related to sexual exploitation and abuse of children, aiming to strengthen protections for victims and enhance penalties for offenders. It expands the definition of "child sexual abuse or exploitation material" (CSAEM) to include digital recordings and images stored in computer files, and clarifies that possessing or distributing such material, especially through file-sharing programs, is a serious offense with escalating penalties based on the quantity of material involved. The bill also modifies the requirements for sex offender registration, expands the list of offenses that trigger registration, and introduces stricter penalties for failing to register or for violating registration conditions, including those related to computer access. Furthermore, it allows victims to pursue civil actions for triple the financial gains made by perpetrators of child exploitation and authorizes court orders to halt the creation and distribution of exploitative materials. The legislation also updates provisions concerning the disqualification of individuals from employment in child-related fields and the reporting of convicted offenders residing with minors, while also establishing a "Computer Crime Prevention Fund" to support investigations and prosecutions of high-tech crimes.

Education, Justice

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S2652