This bill amends New Jersey's criminal statutes to include provisions related to auto theft in the context of felony murder, aggravated manslaughter, and aggravated assault. It specifically adds "theft of a motor vehicle" to the list of offenses that can lead to felony murder charges if a death occurs during the commission of the crime. The bill also expands the aggravated manslaughter statute to cover deaths that occur while fleeing from law enforcement or operating a vehicle in violation of certain laws. Additionally, the aggravated assault statute is modified to include causing bodily injury while fleeing from law enforcement or violating vehicle operation laws.

The bill establishes that both aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault are strict liability crimes, meaning that the prosecution does not need to demonstrate recklessness or intoxication on the part of the defendant. This aligns with the precedent set in the case of State v. Lora, which determined that injuries caused by police during a pursuit are still attributable to the defendant's actions. The penalties for these offenses remain severe, with first-degree crimes carrying a potential prison term of 10 to 20 years and second-degree crimes carrying a term of 5 to 10 years. Overall, the bill aims to enhance accountability and strengthen penalties for violent crimes associated with auto theft.