NJ SJR85

New Jersey Legislature unequivocally condemns all forms of hatred, hate-based violence, incitements to violence, and discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, disability, age, marriage, familial status, gender, or sexual orientation

Recognizes an alarming increase in hate and bias crimes in New Jersey and across the United States in recent years, including violent crimes, threats, and other incidents motivated by hatred

Calls on the Governor and Attorney General to continue providing assistance to hate crime victims, improve reporting mechanisms, pursue prosecutions, and enhance security at religious institutions and places of worship

Directs continued research and development of new methods to understand and combat hatred and bias crimes throughout the state

References existing state infrastructure including the Bias Crime Unit in the Division of Criminal Justice, County Prosecutors' Bias Crime Units, and the Division of Civil Rights' Incident Response Team