Bill > A1773

Introduced Session

This bill specifically authorizes the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) to pay expenses related to protecting the safety of cooperating witnesses. Further, the bill clarifies that the VCCO may order the payment of: (1) relocation expenses for a witness and those residing with the witness at the time of the offense, such as family or other sharing a permanent residence with the witness; or (2) expenses related to protecting the safety of a victim or a cooperating witness. The bill updates the definitions of "cooperating witness" and "witness." "Cooperating witness" is defined as a witness who testifies for the government to help prosecute a crime or who otherwise cooperates with law enforcement and prosecution efforts, and includes a confidential informant. "Witness" is defined as a person, including a victim, who witnesses the commission of any of the offenses listed under N.J.S.A.52:4B-11 and who has been threatened as a result of or has been placed at risk due to their cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts. The bill also authorizes the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety to award grants from the Victim and Witness Advocacy Fund to service providers and county-based programs throughout the State which serve victims of violence, including but not limited to those which provide culturally specific and geographic population based services to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, community violence, or human trafficking. The bill amends the Crime Victim's Bill of Rights to expand the rights of cooperating witnesses. The bill gives these witnesses the right to receive protection from harm and threats of harm arising out of their cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts and to be provided with information as to the level of protection available, and if testifying for the prosecution, to be provided assistance before and during trial to cope with the psychological and practice obstacles of testifying. Finally, the bill requires prosecutors and law enforcement to take appropriate steps to protect victims and witnesses from harm and threats of harm arising out of their cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts, including the provision of protective measures before, during, and after a hearing or trial. The bill also requires the court to establish procedures and institute measures to ensure the safety of witnesses while testifying and while present in the courthouse.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Robert Karabinchak (D)*,  Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D)*,  Anthony Verrelli (D)*,  Margie Donlon (D),  Shama Haider (D),  Dan Hutchison (D),  Ellen Park (D),  Luanne Peterpaul (D),  Gabriel Rodriguez (D),  William Sampson (D),  Shanique Speight (D), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document