This bill aims to criminalize the use of signal jammers in New Jersey, aligning state law with existing federal regulations that already prohibit such devices. Signal jammers, which can disrupt authorized radio communications, pose significant risks by preventing cell phone usage, blocking Wi-Fi connections, and hindering GPS functionality, potentially endangering emergency response efforts. The bill amends current law to include new provisions that make it a crime of the fourth degree to interfere with any radio communications authorized by federal law or to use scanning receivers that can access cellular frequencies in violation of federal regulations.

Specifically, the bill introduces several new prohibitions, including the interference with radio communications of federally licensed stations and the use of scanning receivers capable of receiving cellular transmissions. The existing law, which already criminalizes unauthorized radio transmissions, is expanded to encompass these additional offenses. The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity of communication systems and ensuring public safety by preventing the use of devices that can disrupt essential services.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:33-23.1, 2C:33-23.2