The proposed bill aims to strengthen New Jersey's legal framework regarding child exploitation and related offenses, particularly focusing on child pornography and the distribution of obscene material. It introduces new definitions, such as "identifiable child" and "purported child," and establishes stricter penalties for the possession and distribution of items depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of children. The bill categorizes offenses based on the number of items involved, with significant penalties for those possessing large quantities. Additionally, it clarifies that ignorance of a child's age is not a valid defense in exploitation cases and emphasizes the importance of protecting the identities of victims under 18 in legal proceedings.

Moreover, the bill enhances the disqualification criteria for individuals seeking employment in child care and community service positions, permanently barring those with convictions for serious offenses, including child pornography. It also introduces provisions for rehabilitation, allowing individuals to demonstrate their fitness for employment despite past convictions. The legislation aims to ensure that only qualified individuals work with children, thereby prioritizing their safety and well-being. Overall, the bill seeks to address the evolving challenges of child exploitation in the digital age while reinforcing protections for minors and holding offenders accountable.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:4A-71.1, 2A:53A-7.4, 2A:82-46, 2A:84A-16.1, 2A:84A-32.4, 2A:156A-8, 2A:162-12, 2A:162-19, 2A:168A-8, 2C:7-2, 2C:13-6, 2C:13-7, 2C:13-10, 2C:14-9, 2C:24-4.1, 2C:39-7, 2C:43-3.8, 2C:43-6.4, 2C:44-6.3, 3B:5-14.1, 5:12-86, 9:2-4.1, 9:3-40.5, 9:6-8.84, 9:6A-10, 18A:6-7.1, 30:4-3.5, 30:4-91.8, 30:4-91.9, 30:4-123.53, 30:4-123.54, 30:4C-26.8, 30:4C-27.19, 30:5B-6.14, 30:5B-25.7, 30:6D-64, 39:5G-2, 39:5H-20, 46:8-56, 46:8-59, 53:1-20.20