This bill revises New Jersey laws concerning the sexual exploitation and abuse of children, introducing significant changes to terminology and legal definitions. It replaces the term "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse or exploitation material" (CSAEM) to better reflect the gravity of these offenses. The legislation also enhances the ability of victims to pursue civil actions against their exploiters, allowing for recovery of three times the financial gains made by perpetrators. Additionally, it establishes personal liability for individuals in positions of authority, such as corporate directors or employees, if they are found guilty under this act.

Moreover, the bill amends existing laws to impose stricter penalties for offenses related to CSAEM, including mandatory minimum sentences based on the quantity of materials possessed or distributed. It introduces the concept of a "leader of a network to share CSAEM," defining roles for those conspiring to distribute such materials. The bill also outlines conditions for parole supervision for life for certain offenders and modifies the expungement process, making it more stringent for serious crimes, particularly those involving child exploitation. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen protections for children, enhance accountability for offenders, and ensure that individuals with serious criminal backgrounds are not placed in positions of trust.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:30B-1, 2C:7-2, 2C:24-4.1, 2C:43-6.4, 2C:44-6.3, 9:3-40.5, 18A:35-4.32, 30:4C-26.8, 30:4C-27.19, 30:5B-6.14, 30:5B-25.7, 52:17B-193