This bill establishes a state definition of anti-Semitism, aligning it with the definition adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) on May 26, 2016, which includes contemporary examples of anti-Semitism. It mandates that when reviewing or investigating violations of policies or laws against discrimination, the state must consider this definition to determine if the alleged act was motivated by anti-Semitic intent. Importantly, the bill clarifies that it does not infringe upon rights protected by the First Amendment or conflict with existing anti-discrimination laws.
Additionally, the bill allocates $100,000 from the General Fund to the Office of the Attorney General to create a public awareness campaign aimed at promoting bias crime reporting. This campaign will involve community outreach and training on identifying and reporting bias crimes, as well as disseminating information about the resources available through the New Jersey Bias Crimes Reporting Unit, including a dedicated hotline. The initiative is designed to enhance public awareness and encourage reporting of bias crimes, thereby fostering a safer environment for communities in New Jersey.