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NJ A343

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/9/2024

Primary Sponsor

Claire Swift

Click for details

Origin

General Assembly

2024-2025 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Adds "dosage unit" as a new measurement for grading heroin manufacturing, distribution, and dispensing offenses, defined as the smallest discrete unit of distribution (pill, packet, fold, etc.) or the amount commonly consumed at one time to achieve the desired effect

  • Establishes first-degree crime penalties for heroin offenses involving 50 grams or more, or 2,500 or more dosage units, with mandatory prison terms and fines up to $500,000

  • Creates second-degree crime classification for heroin quantities greater than 2 grams but less than 50 grams, or greater than 100 but fewer than 2,500 dosage units

  • Sets third-degree crime penalties for heroin quantities of 2 grams or less, or 100 or fewer dosage units

  • Addresses sentencing disparity where heroin distributors currently receive more lenient treatment than cocaine distributors despite heroin providing more pharmacological effect per gram (a typical heroin dose weighs approximately 0.02 grams versus 14 grams for cocaine)

Legislative Description

Requires grading of offenses involving manufacturing, distributing, and dispensing heroin based on dosage units in addition to weight.

Judiciary

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee

1/9/2024

Committee Referrals

Judiciary1/9/2024

Full Bill Text

No bill text available