This bill introduces comprehensive amendments to New Jersey's laws regarding child exploitation, particularly focusing on child pornography and related offenses. It establishes a distinct crime for child pornography, separating it from broader child endangerment statutes, and expands the definition to include manipulated depictions, such as "deepfakes." The bill revises penalties for individuals involved in child pornography networks, aligning them with those for possession with intent to distribute. Additionally, it clarifies that consent to being photographed does not imply consent for distribution, thereby enhancing protections for minors against exploitation.

Furthermore, the bill strengthens disqualification criteria for individuals seeking employment in child care and community service roles, permanently barring those convicted of specific crimes against children, including child pornography. It also introduces provisions for individuals to challenge the accuracy of their criminal history records before disqualification. The amendments aim to ensure the safety and well-being of children in care settings while allowing for a fair process for individuals seeking employment in these fields. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance legal protections for children and ensure that offenders face significant consequences for their actions.

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