SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4651

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 4, 2025

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4651 (1R).

      As reported by the committee, this bill provides that parents and legal guardians having legal custody of minors may be subject to a fine or guilty of a petty disorderly or disorderly persons offense for certain conduct related to willful or wanton disregard in the exercise of supervision and control of a minor.

      Under the bill, a parent or legal guardian who demonstrated willful or wanton disregard in the exercise of the supervision and control of the conduct of a minor such that the minor was adjudicated delinquent for:

      1)   engaging in improper behavior in violation of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:33-2, which resulted in property damage, would be subject to a fine of $1,000;

      2)   a first offense of inciting a public brawl in violation of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:33-1, would be guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense; or

      3)   a second or subsequent offense of inciting a public brawl in violation of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:33-1, would be guilty of a disorderly persons offense.

      A disorderly persons offense is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000 or both. A petty disorderly persons offense is punishable by imprisonment of up to 30 days, a fine of up to $500, or both.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 4651 (1R) is identical to Senate Bill No. 3508, which was also reported by the committee on this date.