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NJ A219
Bill
Status
1/13/2026
Primary Sponsor
Dawn Fantasia
Click for details
AI Summary
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Juveniles of any age can be tried as adult court for drug-induced death offenses, removing the current requirement that the juvenile be at least 15 years old
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Mandatory life imprisonment without parole applies when the drug-induced death victim is under 18 years old and the controlled substance quantity is one ounce or more (including adulterants or dilutants)
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The bill modifies New Jersey's strict liability statute for drug-induced deaths (N.J.S.2C:35-9), which holds manufacturers, distributors, or dispensers of Schedule I or II controlled substances criminally liable when someone dies from using those substances
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Courts must waive juvenile jurisdiction and transfer cases to adult court when there is probable cause to believe a juvenile committed a drug-induced death offense, bypassing the discretionary waiver process
Legislative Description
Allows juvenile to be tried as adult regardless of age for certain drug offenses resulting in death; imposes life imprisonment for conviction of strict liability for drug induced deaths if victim was under age 18.
Judiciary
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
1/13/2026