This bill proposes a supplemental appropriation of $3 million to the New Jersey Division of State Police's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, as part of the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The funds are designated for various operational needs of the ICAC Unit, including training, equipment purchases, vehicle outfitting, software licenses, and mental health initiatives for staff. The bill also stipulates that any unspent funds from the previous fiscal year allocated to the ICAC Unit will be carried forward for the same purposes.

The need for this funding arises from a significant increase in online child abuse and exploitation incidents, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the anticipated influx of visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite the federal Protect Our Children Act of 2008 aiming to combat online child abuse, federal funding has been limited and is currently on hold due to a government shutdown. This supplemental appropriation is intended to ensure that the ICAC Unit has the necessary resources to effectively protect vulnerable children from online predators.