Bill
Bill > S1550
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 the new offense of theft by financial exploitation of vulnerable person. Under the bill, an actor commits this offense when, being in a position of trust in relation to a senior citizen or a person with a disability, he commits a theft offense against that person. The bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:20-1 to define a senior citizen as a person 62 years of age or older. A "person with a disability" means a person who by reason of a 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, a person determined to be disabled pursuant to Title II or XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.ss.401-433 or 42 U.S.C.ss.1381-1383), or any other governmental retirement or benefits program that uses substantially the same criteria for determining eligibility. Further, a "person in a position of trust" means a person who: (a) is the parent, spouse, adult child, or other relative by blood or affinity of a senior citizen or person with a disability; or (b) is a joint tenant or tenant in common with a senior citizen orperson with a disability; or (c) has a fiduciary obligation to a senior citizen or person with adisability; or (d) receives monetary or other valuable consideration for providing care for a senior citizen or person with a disability; or (e) lives with or provides some component of home care services on a continuing basis to a senior citizen or person with a disability including, but not limited to, a neighbor or friend who does not provide such services on a compensated basis but has access to a senior citizen or person with a disability based on such relationship. The bill provides that theft by financial exploitation of a vulnerable person shall be graded as a crime of the fourth degree if the underlying offense is a disorderly persons offense or petty disorderly persons offense. Otherwise, it is a crime one degree higher than the most serious underlying theft offense.
AI Summary
This bill creates a new crime called "theft by financial exploitation of a vulnerable person," which applies when someone in a position of trust steals from a senior citizen (defined as someone 62 or older) or a person with a disability. A "person with a disability" is someone who, due to a medical condition, cannot resist exploitation, including those already deemed disabled by Social Security. A "person in a position of trust" is broadly defined to include family members, joint property owners, those with a fiduciary duty (like a trustee or agent), caregivers who receive payment, and even neighbors or friends who live with or provide ongoing home care services and have access to the vulnerable person. The severity of this new crime depends on the underlying theft offense; if the original theft was a minor offense, the financial exploitation charge becomes a fourth-degree crime, and otherwise, it is graded one degree higher than the original theft offense. Importantly, convictions for theft by financial exploitation and the underlying theft offense cannot be merged, meaning separate sentences will be imposed.
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/S1550 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1550_I1.HTM |
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