NJ A2052

Adds "creating false public alarms" (N.J.S.2C:33-3) to the list of underlying offenses that can constitute bias intimidation under New Jersey law when committed with intent to intimidate based on protected characteristics

Protected characteristics under the bias intimidation statute include race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, and ethnicity

Removes a provision from the bias intimidation law that the New Jersey Supreme Court previously ruled unconstitutional in State v. Pomianek (2015) because it focused on the victim's perception rather than the defendant's intent

Bias intimidation is graded one degree higher than the underlying offense, with penalties ranging from fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months imprisonment, $10,000 fine) to enhanced first-degree crime (15-30 years imprisonment, $200,000 fine)

Creates immediate effective date upon enactment for the 2026 legislative session in the 222nd Legislature