Bill

Bill > A3708


NJ A3708

NJ A3708
Creates first degree crime of home invasion, makes crime subject to No Early Release Act, and upgrades burglary of residence to second degree crime under certain circumstances.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill creates the first degree crime of home invasion and makes this crime subject to the No Early Release Act. In addition, the bill upgrades burglary of a residence to a second degree crime under certain circumstances. Specifically, under the provisions of the bill, a person commits the crime of home invasion if he or she enters a person's residence with the intent to commit a robbery, a first or second degree crime, or certain kidnapping and sexual crimes or offenses when another person or persons are present and the actor: 1) uses force or inflicts bodily injury on a person in the residence; 2) threatens a person in the residence with, or purposely or knowingly, puts the person in fear of immediate bodily injury; 3) commits, attempts to commit, or threatens to commit any first or second degree crime or certain kidnapping and sexual crimes and offenses; or 4) is armed with or threatens the use of a deadly weapon or explosive. The bill requires a mandatory term of imprisonment of between 10 years and 30 years for the crime of home invasion. Additionally, the convicted offender would be required to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed, without possibility of parole, since the bill includes the crime of home invasion under the No Early Release Act. A convicted offender also could be subject to a fine of up to $200,000 (the ordinary fine amount applicable to first degree crimes). As to burglary, this crime is upgraded to a second degree crime if a person enters a residence when a resident or any other person, other than a person acting in concert with the actor, is present in the home. The bill provides that knowledge that another person was in the home would not be an element of this upgraded crime, and it would not be a defense that the offender was unaware that another person was present in the home when they entered the residence. The upgraded crime would be punishable by a term of imprisonment between five to 10 years, a fine up to $150,000, or both. Under current law, burglary is only a crime of the second degree if the defendant inflicted, attempted to inflict, or threatened bodily injury or was armed during the course of the offense. In all other circumstances, burglary is a crime of the third degree (ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of between three to five years, a fine not up to $15,000, or both).

AI Summary

This bill establishes the new first-degree crime of home invasion, which occurs when someone enters a residence with the intent to commit a robbery, a first or second-degree crime, or certain kidnapping and sexual offenses, while other people are present and the intruder uses force, inflicts injury, threatens immediate bodily harm, commits or attempts to commit a serious crime, or is armed with a deadly weapon. This home invasion offense is subject to the No Early Release Act, meaning convicted individuals must serve at least 85% of their sentence, which ranges from 10 to 30 years, and are not eligible for parole during that time, and can also face fines up to $200,000. Additionally, the bill upgrades burglary of a residence to a second-degree crime if another person, besides those acting with the burglar, is present in the home, regardless of whether the burglar knew someone was there; this upgraded burglary carries a sentence of five to 10 years, a fine up to $150,000, or both.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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