NJ A5961

Expands human trafficking law to include knowingly recruiting or coercing juveniles to join criminal street gangs, participate in drug distribution schemes, or commit crimes for gang-related activities

Adds human trafficking to the list of offenses for which prosecutors may seek to waive juveniles aged 15 or older to adult criminal court

Expands prohibited methods of inducing trafficking victims to include stalking, invasion of privacy, sexual extortion, and theft by extortion, in addition to existing criminal coercion provisions

Broadens criminal coercion statute to cover threats related to education, employment, and child custody, alongside existing categories like health, safety, and financial condition

Clarifies that human trafficking victims can pursue triple damages under the State RICO law when the racketeering activity involved trafficking, and prevents human trafficking convictions from merging with drug distribution scheme convictions for sentencing purposes