This bill establishes a state definition of anti-Semitism based on the definition adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) on May 26, 2016. It defines anti-Semitism as a perception of Jews that may manifest as hatred toward them, affecting both Jewish and non-Jewish individuals, their property, and community institutions. The bill mandates that this definition be considered when reviewing or investigating violations of policies or laws against discriminatory acts, ensuring that anti-Semitic intent is taken into account. Importantly, the bill clarifies that it does not infringe upon First Amendment rights or the right to criticize the State of Israel, nor does it conflict with existing anti-discrimination laws.

Additionally, the bill allocates $100,000 to the Office of the Attorney General to create a public awareness campaign aimed at promoting bias crime reporting in New Jersey. This campaign will include community outreach and training on identifying and reporting bias crimes, as well as disseminating information about available resources, including a bias crime reporting hotline. The initiative seeks to empower citizens to report incidents of bias, thereby enhancing safety and collective action against hate crimes, particularly those motivated by anti-Semitism.