The proposed bill in New Jersey aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding riots and disorderly conduct by amending existing statutes and introducing new provisions. It revises N.J.S.A.2C:33-1 to classify 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 of promoting violent, disorderly assembly, which carries penalties one degree higher than the most serious underlying crime, with a maximum penalty of 30 years for first-degree offenses. It also elevates the penalties for desecrating public monuments during a riot to a fourth-degree crime and establishes that violations of disorderly conduct in public accommodations during a riot will also be classified as a fourth-degree crime.

Moreover, the bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:12-1 to include specific provisions for assaults committed during a riot, categorizing them 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, mandating a minimum six-month imprisonment. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance penalties for violent and disorderly conduct in the context of riots, reflecting a broader initiative to protect public safety and deter such behaviors.