Stay up-to-date with the newest laws and rules impacting municipal court services. Date Legislation 02/01/2024 L. 2023 c. 335 – Concerns Possession or Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages by Underage Persons- Effective January 16, 2024. 01/26/2024 L. 2023 c. 284 – Concerns Jurisdiction and Operations of Regional Municipal Courts – Effective August 1, 2024 01/22/2024 L. 2022 c. 52 – c. 58 - Gun Control Legislation - Various Effective Dates 01/22/2024 L. 2023 c. 45 – Establishes the Crime of “Sexual Extortion” – Effective May 8, 2023 01/22/2024 L. 2023 c. 46 – Clarifies Penalties for Certain Violations of Pretrial Services; Directs Prosecutors to Provide Written Notice of Release to Victim – Effective May 8, 2023 01/22/2024 L. 2023, c. 191 – Concerns Use of Ignition Interlock Devices for Drunk Driving – Various Effective Dates 02/23/2022 L. 2021, c. 358 – Requires Prosecutor or State Police to Notify Certain Family or Household Members and Victims when Firearms are Returned to Person Charged with Domestic Violence or Subject to Extreme Risk Protection Order – Effective August 1, 2022 12/30/2021 L. 2021, c. 312 – Expands Scope of Inmate Reentry Assistance and Benefits – Effective December 21, 2021 12/27/2021 L. 2021, c. 259 – Requires Residential Landlords to Equip Steam Radiators with Protective Covers – Effective February 1, 2022 12/27/2021 L. 2021, c. 293 – Provides that AOC Shall Administer Program for Municipal Courts Allowing Defendants to Engage in Online Plea Negotiations, Entry of Guilty Plea, and Payment of Fine or Penalty – Effective February 1, 2022 12/27/2021 L. 2021, c. 298 - Clarifies Classification in this State of Criminal Offenses Committed in Other States or Under Federal Law – Effective November 8, 2021 08/05/2021 L. 2021, c. 194 - Requires motorists operating vehicles to maintain reasonable and safe distance when overtaking pedestrians and certain bicycles. 07/12/2021 L. 2021, c. 172 - Increases Strangulation Assault to Crime of Second Degree 05/27/2021 L. 2021, c. 83 - stablishes trunk fighting as animal cruelty offense and crime of the third degree and imposes civil penalties 04/13/2021 L. 2021, c. 38-equires law enforcement to provide written warning and parent/guardian notification for underage possession or consumption of alcoholic beverage, cannabis, marijuana, or hashish – Effective March 26, 2021 03/15/2021 L. 2021, c. 25-Revises consequences for underage possession or consumption of various forms of cannabis included in legislation passed by both Houses of Legislature; requires AG reports, reviewable by task force, on law enforcement interactions on underage violations - Effective immediately 03/02/2021 L. 2021, c. 9 - Reclassifies Possession of Psilocybin as a Disorderly Persons Offense -- Effective February 4, 2021 03/02/2021 L. 2021, c. 16 - "New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act" - Effective Immediately 03/02/2021 L. 2021, c. 19 - Provides for Certain Criminal and Civil Justice Reforms, Particularly Legal Consequences Associated with Certain Marijuana and Hashish Offenses as well as Raising Awareness of Available Expungement Relief -- Various Effective Dates 03/02/2021 L. 2021, c. 24 - Amends Certain Provisions and Effective Date Applicable to Disclosure of Personal Information of Judicial Officers, Prosecutors, and Law Enforcement Officers - "Daniel's Law", PL 2020, c. 125 11/24/2020 L. 2002, c. 125 – Daniel’s Law – Prohibits Disclosure of Certain Personal Information of Active, Formerly Active, and Retired Judicial Officers, Prosecutors, and Law Enforcement Officers, and Their Family Members; Establishes Crime and Civil Action for Disclosing Such Information 11/02/2020 L. 2002, c. 73 – Includes False Incrimination and Filing False Police Report as Form of Bias Intimidation; Establishes Crime of False 9-1-1- Call with Purpose to Intimidate or Harass Based on Race or Other Protected Class – Effective August 31, 2020 08/19/2020 L. 2019, c. 276 - Concerns Driver's License Suspension for Certain Crimes and Offenses - Part II - Effective January 1, 2021, except for Section 12 and subsection b. of Section 20 which took effect on December 27, 2019 05/08/2020 L. 2019, c. 301 - Eliminates Motor Vehicle Surcharges Following Retirement of Bonds and Debts Tied to Surcharges 05/05/2020 Executive Order 135 - Suspending In-Person Requirements for Marriages and Receipt of Working Papers for Minors - Effective May 4, 2020 04/17/2020 L. 2020, c. 26 - Allows Remote Notarial Acts During Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency Declared by Governor in Executive Order 103 of 2020 - Effective April 14, 2020 04/06/2020 PL 2019, c. 425 - Prohibits Sale or Distribution of Flavored Vapor Products - Effective April 20, 2020 03/31/2020 L. 2019, c. 399 – Enhances Penalties Related to Counterfeit Drugs – Effective July 11, 2020 03/19/2020 L. 2019, c. 370 – Imposes motor vehicle penalty points for certain violations of “move over law”; establishes public awareness campaign, designated as “Slow Down or Move Over, It’s the Law.” – Effective September 1, 2020 03/11/2020 1. L. 2019, c. 505 - Revises certain penalties for illegal operation of snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or dirt bike – Effective April 1, 2020 03/11/2020 2. L. 2019, c. 375 - Requires employers to post notice for employees on employee misclassification – Effective April 1, 2020 03/02/2020 L. 2019, c. 507 - Prohibits Sale, Lease, Rent or Installation of Certain Equipment or Products Containing Hydrofluorocarbons or Other Greenhouse Gases 02/27/2020 L. 2019, c. 276 - Concerns Driver's License Suspension for Certain Crimes and Offenses - Part 1 02/26/2020 L. 2019, c. 481 - Prohibits sale of certain toy guns and imitation firearms. 02/13/2020 L. 2019, c. 372 - Concerns Stop-Work Orders - Effective January 20, 2020 02/13/2020 L. 2019, c. 373 - Concerns Penalties for Misclassification of Employees - Effective January 20, 2020 01/24/2020 L. 2019, c. 271 – Creates Two Categories of Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards; Allows Residents Unable to Provide Lawful Presence in the U.S. to Receive Permits, and Standard Driver’s Licenses or Identification Cards; Permits MVC to Increase Certain Fees – Effective January 1, 2021 01/10/2020 P.L. 2019, c. 269 - Revises Expungement Eligibility and Procedures, Including New "Clean Slate" Automated Process to Render Convictions and Related Records Inaccessible; Creates E-filing System for Expungements; Eliminates Expungement Filing Fees; Appropriates $15 million to DLPS for Implementation 12/26/2019 L. 2018, c. 47 - Imposes Surcharge on Prearranged Rides and Increases Certain Fee Associated with Motor Vehicle Violations - Effective July 1, 2018 except Section 4 Effective Oct. 1, 2018 08/27/2019 L. 2019, c. 248 - Revises Certain Drunk Driving Penalties; Expands Use of Ignition Interlock Devices -- Effective Dec. 1, 2019 08/26/2019 L. 2019, c. 212 - Concerns Law Regarding Failure to Pay Wage - Effective Aug. 6, 2019 and Oct. 1, 2019 08/15/2019 L. 2019, c. 216 - Revises Certain Penalties for Public Movers and Warehousemen -- Effective Dec. 1, 2019 08/14/2019 L. 2019, c. 223 Establishes Third Degree Crime for Owning or Possessing Animal or Dog Fighting Paraphernalia and Establishes Civil Penalty - Effective Aug. 9, 2019 07/26/2019 L. 2019, c. 153 - Revises Requirements to Authorize and Access Medical Cannabis; Establishes Cannabis Regulatory Commission; Revises Permit Requirements for Alternative Treatment Centers; and Establishes Additional legal Protections for Patients and Caregivers – Effective Immediately 07/09/2019 L. 2019, c. 158 - Stop Work Orders Related to Prevailing Wage and Construction Worker Employment - Amends N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.35 - Effective July 9, 2019 05/10/2019 L. 2019, c. 108 - Provides that Certain Persons Who Commit Act of Sexual Penetration or Sexual Contact with Students Who Are At 8 but Less Than 22 Years Old Are Guilty of Sexual Assault or Criminal Sexual Contact -- Effective May 10, 2019 05/07/2019 l. 2019, C. 83 - Revises the Standard for Warrantless Seizure of an Animal at Risk Due to a Violation of the Law Concerning the Necessary Care and Tethering of an Animal -- Effective May 7, 2019 04/22/2019 L. 2019, c. 40 Upgrades Penalty for Failing to Report Act of Sexual Abuse Against Child - Effective Immediately 10/04/2018 L. 2018, c. 121- Revises and Expands Laws on Trespass and Vandalism on Agricultural and Horticultural Lands -- Effective Oct. 4, 2018 08/30/2018 L.2018, c. 42 Prohibits the Marriage or Civil Union of Any Person Under Age 18 -- Effective June 22, 2018. 08/30/2018 L.2018, c. 35 Extreme Risk Protective Order Act of 2019 -- Effective Sept. 1, 2019. 08/02/2018 Amends N.J.S.A. 39:5-3 and Provides that Charges for a Violation of N.J.S.A. 39:3-10.18 Must be Filed Within 90 Days After the Offense -- L. 2017, c. 249 -- Effective Jan. 8, 2018. 08/02/2018 Amends the Expungement Process for Convictions of Crimes, Disorderly Persons, and Petty Disorderly Persons Offenses -- L. 2017, c. 244 -- Effective Oct. 1, 2018 08/15/2017 P.L. 2017, c. 189 - Establishes Requirements Concerning Necessary Care of Dogs, Domestic Companion Animals, and Service Animals, and For Tethering of Dogs -- Effective Aug. 7, 2017 08/01/2017 P.L. 2017, c.118 - Raises Minimum Age for Purchase and Sale of Tobacco Products and Electronic Smoking Devices from 19 to 21 --Effective Nov. 1, 2017 07/27/2017 P.L. 2017, c. 156: Creates Fencing Crime Involving Stolen Domestic Companion Animals -- Effective July 21, 2017 07/27/2017 P.L. 2017, c. 165: Establishes New Crime of Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide -- Effective July 21, 2017 06/30/2017 Enhances protections for domestic violence victims by restricting access to firearms by certain persons; provides for minimum terms of incarceration for offenders who commit physically violent acts. -- P.L. 2016, c. 91 -- Effective Aug. 1,2017 05/11/2017 Grants Drivers Additional Time to Resolve Parking Violations Prior to License or Registration Suspension -- P.L. 2017, c. 75 -- Effective Dec. 1, 2017 05/01/2017 Creates Prosecutorial Veteran’s Diversion Program – P.L. 2017, c.42 – Effective Dec. 1, 2017. 01/29/2016 Expands Time for Renewal of Driver's License, Registration, and Inspection by Certain Military Personnel and Their Families - P.L. 2015, c. 299 - Effective Jan. 19, 2016 01/29/2016 Prohibits Sale or Distribution of Liquid Nicotine Except in Child-Resistant Containers; Civil Penalty - P.L. 2015, c.294 - Effective Aug. 1, 2016 01/29/2016 Creates a Definition of Certified Mail - P.L. 2015, c.251 - Effective Jan. 19, 2016 01/25/2016 Requires Drivers to Slow Down Before Passing a Slow Moving Vehicle - P.L. 2015, c. 292 - Effective Jan. 1, 2017 01/25/2016 Enhances Penalty for Tampering With Evidence After Fleeing the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death - P.L. 2015, c. 265 - Effective Jan. 19, 2016 01/25/2016 Expands DNA Database to Include Samples From Disorderly Persons Who Are Fingerprinted For Certain Offenses - P.L. 2015, c. 263 - Effective July 1, 2017 01/25/2016 Establishes Crime for Fraudulent Use of Social Security Number to Collect Lottery Winnings - P.L. 2015, c. 259 - Effective Jan. 19, 2016 01/25/2016 Requires DMVA to Develop Mentoring Program to Assist Justice-Involved Veterans - P.L. 2015, c. 246 - Effective March 19, 2016 01/25/2016 Prohibits Posting, Publishing on the Internet, or Disclosing Certain Information Regarding Law Enforcement Officers - P.L. 2015, c.226 - Effective Jan. 19, 2016 01/25/2016 Exempts Disabled Veterans and Purple Heart Recipients From Payment of Municipal Parking Meter Fees Under Certain Circumstances - P.L. 2015, c. 218 - Effective March 1, 2016 01/21/2016 Revises Laws Regarding the Expungement of Crimes and Disorderly Persons Offenses - P.L. 2015, c.261 - Effective April 18, 2016 12/14/2015 Upgrades Crime of False Public Alarm; Establishes Reporting Requirements Concerning Crime - P.L. 2015, c.156 - Effective March 1, 2016 12/01/2015 Revises Standards Related to Forensic DNA Testing - P.L. 2015, c.127 - Effective March 1, 2016 11/19/2015 Upgrades Violation of a Stalking Restraining Order to a Crime of the Third Degree - P.L. 2015, c.141 - Effective Nov. 9, 2015 08/21/2015 Implements Current Car Seat Safety Recommendations - L. 2015, c. 50 - Effective Sept. 1, 2015 08/10/2015 Revises Requirements for Establishment of Central Municipal Courts - P.L. 2015, C. 103 - Effective Aug. 10, 2015 01/09/2015 Requires Certain Police Vehicles to be Equipped With Cameras - P.L. 2014, c. 54 - Effective March 1, 2015