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Bill > S1942
NJ S1942
NJ S1942Establishes procedures for disqualification from public office or employment upon conviction of certain crimes; creates registry.
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 would amend N.J.S.2C:51-2 concerning forfeiture of public office, position or employment upon conviction of certain criminal offenses. Currently under subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:51-2 a court shall enter an order of forfeiture when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty in State court, or upon application of a county prosecutor or Attorney General when the criminal offense is based on another state's law or federal law. Currently under subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:51-2 any person convicted of an offense "involving or touching" his public office, position, or employment is forever disqualified from holding any office or position of honor, trust or profit in the State or any of its administrative or political subdivision. This bill would establish a procedure for disqualification in subsection d. similar to the procedure set out in N.J.S.2C:51-2 under subsection b. concerning forfeiture. The bill would require that the court order concerning the disqualification of employment set forth in subsection d. of N.J.S.2C:51-2 be entered at the same time the court enters the order of forfeiture set forth in subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:51-2. However, if the conviction is for an offense under the laws of another state or of the United States, the county prosecutor or the Attorney General would be required to make an application to a Superior Court judge designated by the Chief Justice for a disqualification order. This disqualification order would be deemed to have taken effect on the date the person was found guilty by the trier of fact or pled guilty to the offense. The Administrative Office of the Courts would be required to establish and maintain a central registry of all persons who have had disqualification orders entered pursuant to subsection d of the statute.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a clearer procedure for disqualifying individuals from public office or employment upon conviction of certain crimes, aligning it with existing forfeiture procedures. Specifically, it mandates that a court order for disqualification, similar to an order of forfeiture, be issued at the same time a person is found guilty or pleads guilty to a crime that "involves or touches" their public role, meaning the offense is directly related to their job performance or circumstances stemming from it. If the conviction is under another state's or federal law, the county prosecutor or Attorney General must apply to a designated Superior Court judge for this disqualification order, which will retroactively take effect on the date of the conviction. Furthermore, the bill requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to create and maintain a central registry of all individuals who have received such disqualification orders, providing a public record of those barred from public service due to criminal convictions.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
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/S1942 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1942_I1.HTM |
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