This bill amends New Jersey's criminal statutes to include auto theft in the definitions of felony murder, aggravated manslaughter, and aggravated assault. It specifically adds "theft of a motor vehicle" to the list of crimes that can lead to a murder charge if a death occurs during the commission of the crime or while fleeing from it. The bill establishes strict liability for causing death or injury while fleeing from law enforcement or operating a vehicle in violation of certain statutes, meaning individuals can be held accountable regardless of the actual cause of the harm.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault statutes to include provisions related to auto theft and vehicle operation violations. It specifies that individuals can be charged with aggravated assault for causing bodily injury while fleeing from law enforcement or operating a vehicle unlawfully. Both aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault are classified as strict liability crimes, which means the prosecution does not need to prove recklessness or intoxication. The penalties for these offenses remain severe, with first-degree crimes punishable by ten to twenty years in prison and second-degree crimes by five to ten years.