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NJ S3997
Bill
Status
3/19/2026
Primary Sponsor
Angela Mcknight
Click for details
AI Summary
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Amends New Jersey law (C.2C:33-10 and C.2C:33-11) to explicitly include nooses, burning crosses, symbols of white supremacy, and Nazi ideology symbols as examples of hate symbols that constitute criminal threats of violence
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Third degree crime applies to placing hate symbols on another person's private property with intent to cause fear of bodily violence, punishable by 3-5 years imprisonment and/or fines up to $15,000
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Fourth degree crime applies to defacing religious, educational, residential, memorial, charitable, cemetery, or assembly properties with hate symbols, punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment and/or fines up to $10,000
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Graffiti offenders may be required to pay restitution for property damage or perform community service, including removing the graffiti for a minimum of 20 days
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Introduced March 19, 2026 by Senator Angela V. McKnight (District 31, Hudson County)
Legislative Description
Amends statute that criminalizes display of symbols, objects, or graffiti exposing another to threats of violence to specifically include noose, burning cross, or other symbol of hate.
Judiciary
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
3/19/2026