All Roll Calls
Yes: 113 • No: 0
New JerseyS2652220th Legislature (2024-2025)SenateWALLET
Revises statutory terms pertaining to sexual exploitation or abuse of children.
Sponsored By: Linda R. Greenstein (Democratic), Angela V. McKnight (Democratic), Carol A. Murphy (Democratic), Ellen J. Park (Democratic), Benjie E. Wimberly (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 2 mixed.
Child exploitation convictions cannot be expunged
People convicted of listed child sexual abuse or exploitation offenses cannot have those convictions expunged. Covered crimes include making the material, causing or permitting a child’s prohibited sexual act, and distributing the material. Possession with intent to distribute, possession, and viewing offenses are also covered. These convictions remain on the person’s record.
Child-crime records bar foster and adoptive parents
A person cannot become a resource family parent or adopt if they have ever been convicted of a covered crime against a child. Resource families include foster families. The same bar applies if an adult living in the applicant’s home has such a conviction. Covered crimes include child sexual abuse or exploitation material offenses.
Child-serving workers face stricter conviction rules
Listed convictions can bar employment at approved agencies and permanently bar work at, or management of, covered facilities. These include child exploitation and other specified serious crimes; facility rules also cover equivalent out-of-state convictions. Current staff with listed convictions generally must be terminated, and facility workers must have a chance to challenge inaccurate records. Continued employment requires Department approval, a conviction unrelated to crimes against children, no adverse link to the job, and proven rehabilitation. The employer must document child-safety safeguards, needed contact or supervision limits, and the worker’s unique qualifications.
Child care providers face stricter checks
Child care center workers, owners, and sponsors face permanent disqualification for listed convictions, sex-offender registration, check refusal, or knowing material falsehoods. Family day care registration must be denied, not renewed, or revoked when a provider or another covered person meets these grounds. Covered convictions include child exploitation offenses and equivalent out-of-state crimes; specified drug crimes count when committed within the preceding five years. Center applicants and workers must have a chance to challenge inaccurate disqualifying records. Family day care providers must also have that chance before a conviction-based application denial.
Child protection referrals follow covered convictions
Courts must refer covered child exploitation cases to New Jersey’s Division of Child Protection and Permanency. The convicted person must live with minor children or be a parent of a minor child. The victim must have been under 18 during the crime or fall within another victim category specified by law. Courts must send identifying and criminal-history information so the agency can review child-safety concerns.
Network leaders face registration and supervision
Covered network leaders must register as sex offenders, including qualifying juvenile cases, insanity acquittals, and cases involving ongoing custody or supervision. On a prosecutor’s request, courts must add lifetime parole supervision for leading or attempting to lead a network. Courts can decline only after recording that supervision is unnecessary to protect the community or deter crime. Judges must order psychological exams for these convictions or attempts, except when sentencing someone to life without parole. A person who commits the network-leader crime during lifetime supervision must serve a full extended prison term before supervision resumes.
New penalties for child exploitation networks
New Jersey defines child sexual abuse or exploitation material to cover images and recordings involving children under 18. It includes prohibited sexual acts and sexually suggestive depictions that meet the law’s standards. Knowingly organizing or helping run a network that shares this material is a separate crime. The offense is third degree below 1,000 items, second degree for 1,000–99,999, and first degree for 100,000 or more.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Linda R. Greenstein
Democratic • Senate
Angela V. McKnight
Democratic • Senate
Carol A. Murphy
Democratic • House
Ellen J. Park
Democratic • House
Benjie E. Wimberly
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Robert Auth
Republican • House
Linda S. Carter
Democratic • House
Margie Donlon M.D.
Democratic • House
Aura K. Dunn
Republican • House
Victoria A. Flynn
Republican • House
Shama A. Haider
Democratic • House
Hall, Garnet R.
Affiliation unavailable
Paul Kanitra
Republican • House
Lampitt, Pamela R.
Affiliation unavailable
Matsikoudis, Michele
Affiliation unavailable
McCann Stamato, Barbara
Affiliation unavailable
Luanne M. Peterpaul Esq.
Democratic • House
Ramirez, Jessica
Affiliation unavailable
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
Democratic • House
M. Teresa Ruiz
Democratic • Senate
William B. Sampson IV
Democratic • House
Shanique Speight
Democratic • House
Sumter, Shavonda E.
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 9/26/2024
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 76 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/20/2024
3RDG FINAL PASSAGE
Yes: 37 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor — P.L.2024, c.92.
11/18/2024GovernorPassed Assembly, PBH — (76-0-0)
9/26/2024HouseSubstituted for A3539
9/26/2024HouseReported, 2nd Reading in Assembly
6/13/2024HouseReceived in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
5/20/2024HousePassed Senate — (37-0)
5/20/2024SenateReported, 2nd Reading in Senate
3/7/2024SenateIntroduced, 1st Reading in Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
2/12/2024Senate
Bill Text
Version PL2024
1/15/2025
Version AL2024
12/10/2024
As Introduced
9/27/2024
Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Substitute (6/13/24)
6/14/2024
Senate Law and Public Safety Substitute (3/7/24)
3/8/2024
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