This bill amends the New Jersey Statutes to allow for extended sentencing for individuals convicted of receiving stolen property who have prior convictions for the same offense. Specifically, it stipulates that a person can be classified as a persistent offender if they have been convicted of receiving stolen property on two or more separate occasions, regardless of when those convictions occurred. The prosecutor can request an extended term of imprisonment if the prior convictions were for crimes committed on separate occasions and the current offense occurred within 10 years of the defendant's last release from confinement or within 10 years of the most recent prior conviction.

Additionally, the bill outlines that prior convictions must be defined and proven according to existing law, and it establishes procedural safeguards for defendants. A court cannot impose an extended sentence without a hearing to establish the grounds for such a sentence, ensuring that defendants have the opportunity to contest the evidence against them and present their own evidence. This legislative change aims to enhance penalties for repeat offenders of receiving stolen property, thereby addressing the issue of recidivism in property crimes.