This bill establishes a new crime specifically for the burglary of residential dwellings, separate from the existing burglary laws under N.J.S.A.2C:18-2. It amends the definition of "residential dwelling" to include any building or structure primarily serving as a residence for one or more persons, as well as any place adapted for overnight accommodation. The bill also clarifies that a person is guilty of residential burglary if they enter or remain in a residential dwelling with the intent to commit an offense.

The penalties for residential burglary are outlined in the bill, maintaining the existing framework of consequences. It specifies that residential burglary is a crime of the third degree, but escalates to a crime of the second degree if certain conditions are met, such as inflicting bodily injury or being armed with a weapon during the act. The bill aims to facilitate the tracking of residential burglary incidents in New Jersey while ensuring that the penalties align with current law, with third-degree crimes punishable by three to five years of imprisonment and second-degree crimes punishable by five to ten years.