Bill

Bill > A1683


NJ A1683

NJ A1683
Establishes crime of law enforcement officer choking another person; designated as George Floyd's Law.


summary

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

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill establishes a first degree crime of a law enforcement officer choking another person. Under the bill, a law enforcement officer who knowingly places pressure on a person's throat, windpipe, or carotid artery, thereby hindering or preventing that person's ability to breathe, or interfering with the flow of blood from the person's heart to the brain, is guilty of a crime of the first degree. First degree crimes are punishable by a prison term of 10 to 20 years, a fine of up to $200,000, or both. On June 5, 2020, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General issued notice that it will ban police departments from using chokeholds, carotid artery neck restraints, or similar tactics, except where deadly force is necessary. This bill prohibits these chokeholds. The bill is designated as George Floyd's Law, after George Floyd, who died while being choked by a Minneapolis law enforcement officer during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit bill.

AI Summary

This bill, designated as George Floyd's Law, establishes a new crime for law enforcement officers who choke another person, making it a first-degree offense. This means an officer who intentionally applies pressure to someone's throat, windpipe, or carotid artery, which obstructs breathing or blood flow to the brain, can face a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years, a fine of up to $200,000, or both. This legislation follows a notice from the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General in June 2020 that aimed to ban chokeholds and similar tactics by police departments, except when deadly force is absolutely necessary, and is named in memory of George Floyd, whose death during an arrest involved an officer choking him.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

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

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