The bill amends N.J.S.2C:12-1, which governs assault laws in New Jersey, by broadening the definitions and penalties for both simple and aggravated assault. It specifies that aggravated assault now includes actions such as causing bodily injury while fleeing from law enforcement, using a deadly weapon, or assaulting designated individuals like law enforcement officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers. The bill introduces stricter penalties for aggravated assault, particularly when the victim is a member of law enforcement or emergency services, and ensures that certain offenses will not merge with other criminal convictions, thereby imposing significant consequences on offenders.

Additionally, the bill addresses the offense of throwing bodily fluids at law enforcement and emergency personnel, categorizing it as aggravated assault with varying degrees of severity based on the injury inflicted. It requires individuals charged with this offense to undergo testing for communicable diseases, with strict guidelines on the use of samples and the privacy of results. The bill also establishes regulations regarding the use of blood or biological samples, stating they may only be used for testing for communicable diseases and must be destroyed after testing to protect privacy. The act is set to take effect immediately upon approval, which occurred on November 18, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:12-13
Advance Law: 2C:12-13
Pamphlet Law: 2C:12-13