Bill
Bill > S3449
summary
Introduced
02/09/2026
02/09/2026
In Committee
02/09/2026
02/09/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill changes monetary threshold to $100 for certain fourth degree theft crimes, where the monetary threshold was previously set at a higher amount. Under current law contained within the consolidated theft statute, N.J.S.2C:20-2, theft constitutes a crime of the fourth degree if the amount involved is at least $200 but does not exceed $500, and constitutes a disorderly persons offense if the amount involved was less than $200. The bill amends N.J.S.2C:20-2, under which theft would constitute a crime of the fourth degree if the amount involved is at least $100 but does not exceed $500, and constitutes a disorderly persons offense for crimes involving was less than $100. The bill also provides that a person convicted of theft as an indictable offense is to be sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment of not less than one year. Current law, under N.J.S.2C:21-17, provides that a person is guilty of identity theft if the person engages in certain deceptive actions, defined under the statute, by any means including, but not limited to, the use of electronic communications or an Internet website. Under N.J.S.2C:21-17, a person is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, if the person obtains a benefit or deprives another of a benefit in an amount less than $500 and the offense involves the identity of one victim; and guilty of a crime of the third degree, if the person obtains a benefit or deprives another of a benefit in an amount of at least $500 but less than $75,000, or the offense involves the identity of at least two but less than five victims. The bill amends the statute to provide that a person is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, if the person obtains a benefit or deprives another of a benefit in an amount less than $100 and the offense involves the identity of one victim; and guilty of a crime of the third degree, if the person obtains a benefit or deprives another of a benefit in an amount of at least $100 but less than $75,000, or the offense involves the identity of at least two but less than five victims A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of up three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.
AI Summary
This bill lowers the monetary threshold for certain theft crimes, specifically changing the amount required for a fourth-degree theft offense from at least $200 to at least $100, meaning that thefts between $100 and $500 will now be considered fourth-degree crimes, while thefts under $100 will be classified as disorderly persons offenses, which are less serious. Additionally, the bill revises the penalties for identity theft, a crime involving the fraudulent use of another person's personal information, by reducing the monetary threshold for a fourth-degree identity theft charge to less than $100 (when only one victim is involved) and for a third-degree charge to at least $100 (when one victim is involved or when two to four victims are involved), with higher amounts or more victims leading to more severe charges. A significant provision across both types of theft is that anyone convicted of these crimes as an indictable offense, which are more serious than disorderly persons offenses, will now face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of one year.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 02/09/2026)
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/S3449 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3500/3449_I1.HTM |
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