NJ A5317

Adds motor vehicle theft to the list of predicate crimes for felony murder, meaning a death occurring during an auto theft can result in first-degree murder charges with a 30-year minimum sentence without parole

Expands aggravated manslaughter to include deaths caused while driving a stolen vehicle at any time, not just when fleeing police, as a first-degree crime

Extends aggravated assault (second-degree crime) to cover bodily injuries caused during auto theft, updating the law to include violations of the 2023 standalone auto theft statute

Establishes strict liability for both aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault, meaning defendants are liable even if the death or injury was caused by a pursuing police officer rather than directly by the defendant

Clarifies that prosecutors do not need to prove the defendant's recklessness or intoxication for these charges, and proximate cause by police pursuit does not provide a defense