Bill
Bill > S489
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill establishes a separate crime of victimization against a senior citizen or a person with a disability, which must be charged and proved as any other crime. Victimization would be graded one degree higher than the offense that was committed. A person would be guilty of victimization if the person commits any crime listed in the bill against a senior citizen or a person with a disability. Upon a conviction, the sentence imposed by the court would not merge with the sentence imposed for the underlying offense. This bill also provides that if the underlying crime for which the person is being sentenced was graded as a crime of the first or second degree, the sentence imposed shall include a term of post-incarceration parole supervision. Under the bill, a "senior citizen" is defined as a person 62 years of age or over. A "person with a disability" is defined as a person who by reason of any pre-existing medically determinable physical or mental impairment is substantially incapable of exercising normal physical or mental power of resistance, and includes, but is not limited to, any person determined disabled pursuant to the federal Social Security Act or any other governmental retirement or benefits program that uses substantially the same criteria for determining eligibility.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new crime called "victimization of a senior citizen or a person with a disability," which will be charged and proven like any other crime. A "senior citizen" is defined as someone 62 years or older, and a "person with a disability" is someone who, due to a physical or mental impairment, cannot effectively resist, including those deemed disabled by the federal Social Security Act or similar government programs. If someone commits a crime against a senior citizen or a person with a disability, they can be charged with this new victimization offense, which will be graded one degree higher than the original crime committed. For example, if the original crime was a second-degree offense, the victimization charge would be a first-degree offense. Importantly, any sentence for this victimization crime will not be combined with the sentence for the original crime, meaning separate punishments will be imposed. Additionally, if the original crime was a first or second-degree offense, the convicted person will face a period of parole supervision after their prison sentence, with a five-year term for first-degree underlying crimes and a three-year term for second-degree underlying crimes.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/S489 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S0500/489_I1.HTM |
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