Bill > A276

This bill upgrades the penalties for certain crimes when they are committed in a jurisdiction where a state of emergency is in force. Under the provisions of the bill, robbery would be a crime of the first degree, burglary, theft, shoplifting, and interference with transportation would be upgraded to crimes of the second degree, trespassing, riot, and the unlawful interception of emergency communications would be upgraded to crimes of the third degree, the crime of failing to disperse would be upgraded to a crime of the fourth degree, and defiant trespass would be upgraded to a disorderly persons offense. The bill aims to provide enhanced criminal penalties for these offenses during times of emergency when public safety and order are of heightened concern.