This bill establishes a new crime of victimization specifically targeting senior citizens and persons with disabilities in New Jersey. A person can be found guilty of this crime if they commit, attempt, conspire, or threaten to commit any offense outlined in chapters 11 through 18 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes against these vulnerable groups. The bill stipulates that if the victim is a senior citizen or a person with a disability, the perpetrator is strictly liable, meaning they cannot defend themselves by claiming ignorance of the victim's status. The grading of the crime varies based on the underlying offense, with victimization being classified as a fourth-degree crime for lesser offenses and escalating to a first-degree crime for the most serious offenses, carrying significant prison sentences.

Additionally, the bill includes specific provisions regarding affirmative defenses for certain underlying crimes, such as burglary and criminal mischief, and clarifies that convictions for victimization will not merge with convictions for the underlying offenses, ensuring separate sentences are imposed. Definitions for "person with a disability" and "senior citizen" are also provided, with the former encompassing individuals with significant impairments and the latter defined as individuals aged 60 and older. This legislation aims to enhance protections for these vulnerable populations by imposing stricter penalties on those who commit crimes against them.