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 make it a crime of the fourth degree to knowingly and actively participate in a criminal street gang and to purposely promote, further or assist others participating in the criminal street gang in the commission of certain offenses. Those offenses are: robbery; carjacking; aggravated assault; assault; aggravated sexual assault; sexual assault; arson; burglary; kidnapping; extortion; tampering with witnesses and informants; or a violation of chapter 11 (homicide), sections 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 of chapter 35 (controlled dangerous substances), or chapter 39 (firearms and weapons) of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes. Fourth degree crimes are punishable by imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. As used in the bill, "criminal street gang" has the same definition as provided in section 1 of P.L.2007, c.341 (C.2C:33-29). Under that definition, criminal street gang means three or more persons associated in fact. Individuals are associated in fact if: (1) two of the following seven criteria that indicate criminal street gang membership apply: (a) self-proclamation; (b) witness testimony or official statement; (c) written or electronic correspondence; (d) paraphernalia or photographs; (e) tattoos; (f) clothing or colors; (g) any other indicia of street gang activity; and (2) individually or in combination with other members of a criminal street gang, while engaging in gang related activity, have committed or conspired or attempted to commit, within the preceding five years from the date of the present offense, excluding any period of imprisonment, one or more offenses on separate occasions of robbery, carjacking, aggravated assault, assault, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, arson, burglary, kidnapping, extortion, tampering with witnesses and informants or a violation of chapter 11, section 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 of chapter 35 or chapter 39 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.
AI Summary
This bill criminalizes knowingly and actively participating in a criminal street gang and purposely helping others in the gang commit serious crimes, such as robbery, carjacking, aggravated assault, sexual assault, arson, burglary, kidnapping, extortion, tampering with witnesses, homicide, controlled dangerous substances offenses, or firearms and weapons offenses. A "criminal street gang" is defined as three or more people associated in fact, where at least two criteria indicating gang membership are met (like self-proclamation, witness testimony, or specific tattoos) and where members have committed or conspired to commit one of the listed offenses within the past five years. Committing this new crime is considered a fourth-degree offense, punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness 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/A3661 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4000/3661_I1.HTM |
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