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 establish a third degree crime of incest that may be prosecuted separately from or in addition to other sexual offenses, such as sexual assault (N.J.S.2C:14-2) or endangering the welfare of children (N.J.S.2C:24-4). Under current law, the crime of sexual assault does not apply to incestuous acts between consenting adults. Under the bill, a person commits the crime of incest if the person marries or commits an act of sexual penetration with a person's ancestor or descendant, a sibling, a sibling of the person's parent (i.e., aunt or uncle), or a child of the person's sibling (i.e., niece or nephew). These relationships enumerated in the bill would include blood relationships of the whole or half blood, without regard to legitimacy or relationship of parent and child by adoption. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. Incest was previously a crime under State law, N.J.S.A.2A:114-1 and 2A:114-2, but those laws were repealed by P.L.1978, c.95.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the crime of incest as a third-degree offense, meaning it carries a potential penalty of three to five years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both, and can be prosecuted separately from or in addition to other sexual offenses like sexual assault or endangering the welfare of children. It defines incest as marrying, entering into a civil union, or committing an act of sexual penetration with a direct ancestor or descendant, a sibling, an aunt or uncle (sibling of a parent), or a niece or nephew (child of a sibling), and these relationships include those by whole or half-blood, regardless of legitimacy or whether the parent-child relationship is by adoption. This legislation revives a crime that was previously repealed in 1978, and importantly, it clarifies that under this new law, incestuous acts between consenting adults will be criminalized, unlike under previous sexual assault laws.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security 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/A2158 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2500/2158_I1.HTM |
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