Bill
Bill > A749
NJ A749
NJ A749Establishes pilot program in Paterson authorizing non-disclosure of records of certain expungements.
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 five-year pilot program for the City of Paterson concerning the disclosure and application of expunged records and information for persons seeking employment within its municipal court system or any of its law enforcement or corrections agencies. Under the bill, for a period of five years, the provisions of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:52-27, requiring that a person seeking certain employment within the municipality's municipal court system or law enforcement or corrections agencies disclose expunged records and information, and requiring that those expunged materials continue to provide a disability notwithstanding the expungement, would only apply to records and information related to a person's conviction for an indictable offense (a crime of the fourth degree or higher). The provisions of the bill do not apply to records and information: (1) related to a person's arrest or charge for a crime, offense, or violation of a municipal ordinance not resulting in a conviction or finding of guilt; or (2) related to a person's conviction or finding of guilt for a disorderly persons offense, petty disorderly persons offense, or violation of a municipal ordinance. A person seeking employment within the municipal court system as a court director, court administrator, or deputy court administrator is excluded from the provisions of the bill. Under the bill, these individuals would continue to disclose expunged records and information in compliance with subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:52-27. At the conclusion of the five-year period, the City of Paterson would submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on the implementation of the pilot program, which would include a recommendation on the advisability of the continuation, modification, expansion, or termination of the program. This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a five-year pilot program in the City of Paterson to test new rules regarding the disclosure of expunged records for individuals seeking employment in the city's municipal court, law enforcement, or corrections agencies. Expungement is a legal process that removes a criminal record from public view. Under this program, for five years, individuals applying for these jobs will generally not have to disclose expunged records related to arrests or charges that did not result in a conviction, or convictions for minor offenses like disorderly persons offenses or municipal ordinance violations. However, this exemption does not apply to convictions for more serious crimes, known as indictable offenses, which are crimes of the fourth degree or higher. Additionally, individuals seeking to become a court director, court administrator, or deputy court administrator within the municipal court system are excluded from this pilot program and must continue to disclose all expunged records as previously required. At the end of the five years, Paterson will report to the Governor and Legislature on the program's success and recommend whether it should be continued, changed, expanded, or ended.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
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/A749 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1000/749_I1.HTM |
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