Bill
Bill > A342
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 offense of tracking a vehicle with purpose to commit an unlawful act using a location tracking device, and imposes enhanced penalties for the offense. Under the bill, tracking a vehicle with purpose to commit an unlawful act using a location tracking device is a crime of the fourth degree, ordinarily punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000 or both. Under the bill however, the offense shall be sentenced under N.J.S.A.2C:43-7 to an extended term of imprisonment. Under N.J.S.A.2C:43-7, a person who has been convicted of a fourth degree crime included under paragraph (5) of subsection a. shall be sentenced, to an extended term of imprisonment of five years. It is the sponsor's view that the increased use of electronic device technology such as Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) or GPS-enabled devices to track an individual's whereabouts has contributed to domestic violence abuse, sexual assault, and vehicle theft, and, when misused in this manner, can have widespread damaging and even lethal effect warranting enhanced penalties.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new crime for intentionally tracking a vehicle using a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) or similar location tracking device with the intent to commit an unlawful act, classifying it as a fourth-degree crime, which typically carries a penalty of up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. However, the bill amends existing law (N.J.S.2C:43-7) to impose an extended term of imprisonment for this offense, specifically mandating a five-year prison sentence for a fourth-degree crime when it falls under certain categories, including this new tracking offense. This enhanced penalty is intended to address concerns that the misuse of tracking technology, like GPS devices, contributes to serious crimes such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and vehicle theft, and can have severe consequences.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (7)
Vicky Flynn (R)*,
Bob Auth (R),
John Azzariti (R),
Chris DePhillips (R),
John DiMaio (R),
Sean Kean (R),
Jay Webber (R),
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly 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/A342 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A0500/342_I1.HTM |
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