Bill
Bill > S344
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 creates separate crimes for recklessly and purposefully obstructing a highway or public passage in this State and increases the penalties for doing so. Under current law, it is a petty disorderly offense for a person, who, having no legal privilege to do so, purposely or recklessly obstructs any highway or other public passage whether alone or with others. Further, it is a petty disorderly persons offense for a person in a gathering to refuse to obey a reasonable official request or order to move off the highway or public passage. A petty disorderly offense is punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment, a fine of up to $500, or both. Under the bill, it is a disorderly persons offense for a person who, having no legal privilege to do so, recklessly obstructs any highway or other public passage. Further, it is a crime of the fourth degree for a person who, having no legal privilege to do so, purposely obstructs, delays, or affects commerce or the movement of any article or commodity in commerce by obstructing any highway or other public passage. Finally, the bill makes it a disorderly persons offense for a person in a gathering to refuse to obey a reasonable official request or order to move off the highway or public passage. A disorderly persons offense is punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
AI Summary
This bill clarifies the crime of obstructing highways and public passages by creating separate offenses for reckless and purposeful obstruction and increasing the associated penalties. Previously, any obstruction, whether intentional or careless, was a petty disorderly offense, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine. Now, recklessly obstructing a highway or public passage without legal right is a disorderly persons offense, carrying a penalty of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Furthermore, intentionally obstructing, delaying, or affecting commerce or the movement of goods by blocking a highway or public passage is elevated to a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. The bill also maintains that refusing a reasonable official order to move from a gathering that is obstructing a passage or posing a safety hazard is a disorderly persons offense. The definition of "obstructs" remains the same, meaning to make a passage impassable without causing unreasonable inconvenience or hazard.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety 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/S344 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S0500/344_I1.HTM |
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