This bill amends New Jersey's bias intimidation statute to establish a presumption of knowledge that displaying a noose, Nazi symbols, or Confederate symbols would cause bias intimidation. It recognizes that such symbols are historically associated with hate and violence, and therefore, their use in connection with bias crimes should be treated as an aggravating factor deserving of enhanced penalties. The bill allows for a permissive inference that a defendant knew their actions would intimidate individuals based on race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity if they displayed these symbols during the commission of a crime.

Additionally, the bill introduces specific penalties for those convicted of bias intimidation while using these symbols, including a $20,000 fine and mandatory completion of a course on the history of hate symbols for first-time offenders, with increased penalties for repeat offenders. It also adds bias intimidation and official deprivation of civil rights to the list of offenses that can lead to pension forfeiture for public employees. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen the legal framework against bias crimes and enhance accountability for those who use hate symbols in their criminal conduct.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:16-1, 43:1-3.1