NJ A4318

Amends the definition of "delinquency" under New Jersey's Code of Juvenile Justice to apply only to juveniles 14 years of age or older, effectively preventing children under 14 from being adjudicated as delinquent

Current law defines a juvenile as anyone under 18 with no minimum age floor for delinquency adjudication; this bill establishes 14 as the minimum threshold

Requires the Attorney General to establish a Juvenile Justice working group to advise on implementation of the new age requirement

Working group membership must include representatives from mental health, law enforcement, civil rights and social justice organizations, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, the Public Defender's office, a law school faculty member with juvenile justice experience, and the Administrative Office of the Courts

Takes effect on the first day of the nineteenth month after enactment, providing approximately 18 months for implementation planning