This bill amends New Jersey law to prohibit the sentencing of individuals under 21 years of age to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Specifically, it introduces a new provision stating that courts cannot impose such a sentence on any person who was under 21 at the time of their crime, even if they are convicted of serious offenses that would typically warrant life imprisonment. This change is a direct response to a ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, which found that sentencing individuals aged 18 to 20 to life without parole constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.

The bill modifies Section 2 of P.L.1995, c.126 (C.2C:43-7.1) by adding a new subsection that explicitly states the prohibition against life sentences for young offenders. This legislative change reflects a growing recognition of the developmental differences between younger and older individuals and aims to align New Jersey's sentencing practices with evolving standards of decency in the justice system. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:43-7.1