NJ A298

Expands the definition of riot to include when participants cause damage to property or injury to another person, making it a third-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment and fines up to $10,000.

Elevates obstructing highways or public passages during a riot or disorderly conduct from a petty disorderly persons offense to a fourth-degree crime.

Upgrades desecration of public monuments, symbols, or places of worship during a riot to a fourth-degree crime and adds "destroying" and "toppling" to the definition of desecration.

Creates a new category of aggravated assault for causing bodily injury during a riot (third-degree crime), and mandates a minimum six-month imprisonment when objects are thrown at or strike law enforcement officers during riots.

Establishes a new crime of "promotion of violent, disorderly assembly" for organizers, supervisors, or financiers who conspire to commit specified crimes during riots, punishable one degree higher than the underlying offense (up to 15-30 years for first-degree offenses).