SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[Second Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4981

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 19, 2025

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4981 (2R).

      As reported by the committee, this bill permits a court, when making a pretrial detention determination, and upon the request of the prosecutor, to take more time in such determination when the charged offense involves a firearm.

      Under current law, a court is required to make a pretrial release decision for an eligible defendant without unnecessary delay, but in no case later than 48 hours after the eligible defendant’s commitment to jail.  Under the bill, the 48 hours would not apply in cases where an eligible defendant is charged with any crime or offense involving the use or possession of a firearm.  As amended, the additional time provided to the court would not exceed such time as is reasonably necessary for a firearms ballistic analysis to be conducted and immediately provided to the court, and in no event exceed seven days.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 4981 (2R) is identical to Senate Bill No. 3900, which also was amended and reported by the committee on this date.