NJ A607

Expands New Jersey's bias intimidation law by adding computer criminal activity, initiating a false alarm, and cyber-harassment to the list of predicate offenses that can trigger enhanced penalties when motivated by bias against race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, or ethnicity.

Removes a provision previously held unconstitutional by the New Jersey Supreme Court in State v. Pomianek (2015) that focused on the victim's perception of the defendant's intent rather than the defendant's actual state of mind.

Establishes mandatory additional penalties for bias intimidation convictions: $2,000 for first-degree crimes, $1,000 for second-degree, $750 for third-degree, $500 for fourth-degree, and $250 for disorderly persons offenses, with funds deposited into a new "Bias Crime Prevention Fund."

Creates civil liability for bias-motivated harm allowing plaintiffs to recover treble (triple) compensatory damages if they prove by preponderance of evidence that the defendant's acts were motivated by bias intimidation.

Increases civil penalties for false public alarms to treble the actual costs of law enforcement and emergency services response, and adds liability for personal injury and property damage resulting from such false alarms.