This bill establishes the offense of inciting a public brawl and enhances penalties for disorderly conduct under specific circumstances. A person is guilty of inciting a public brawl if they purposefully organize or promote a group of four or more individuals to engage in disorderly conduct. If the act is intended to disrupt or disturb a public gathering, it is classified as a fourth-degree crime; otherwise, it is considered a disorderly persons offense. The bill also introduces provisions that make it a disorderly persons offense for individuals to conceal their identity while engaging in disorderly conduct with the intent to evade prosecution.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws regarding disorderly conduct, specifying that a person who acts with the intent to disrupt a public gathering is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. The current law categorizes disorderly conduct as a petty disorderly persons offense, but the new language elevates the severity of certain actions. The penalties for a fourth-degree crime can include up to 18 months of imprisonment and fines up to $10,000, while disorderly persons offenses carry a maximum of six months in prison and fines up to $1,000. The bill aims to address public safety concerns by providing law enforcement with clearer tools to manage and penalize disruptive behaviors.