The proposed bill aims to strengthen New Jersey's legal framework regarding riots and disorderly conduct by amending existing laws and introducing new provisions. It redefines participation in a riot as a third-degree crime if it involves firearms or deadly weapons, or if six or more individuals are involved in causing property damage or injury. Additionally, the bill creates a new crime for the promotion of violent, disorderly assemblies, which carries penalties one degree higher than the most serious underlying crime. It also enhances penalties for desecration of public monuments during a riot, categorizing such acts as a fourth-degree crime, and establishes that disorderly conduct in public accommodations during a riot will also be treated as a fourth-degree crime.

Moreover, the bill amends the assault provisions under N.J.S.2C:12-1 to classify assaults committed during a riot as a third-degree crime. It specifies that if an object is thrown at or strikes a law enforcement officer during a riot, the presumption of non-imprisonment for a first offense will not apply, enforcing a minimum six-month imprisonment. Overall, the legislation seeks to bolster law enforcement's ability to address violent and disorderly conduct during public disturbances, reflecting a commitment to maintaining public order and safety.