ASSEMBLY PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5983

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 5, 2026

      The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 5983.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this supplemental appropriation provides $3 million to Law Enforcement program classification in the Department of Law and Public Safety, for use by the New Jersey Division of State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC).

      Under the amended bill, $3 million is to be allocated to increase available funds to the ICAC Unit to advance its mission of protecting children from offenders who use computers and computer technology to exploit them, including offsetting the costs of advanced personnel training, equipment, vehicle purchase and outfitting, software licensing, and staff mental health initiatives.  Any unexpended balance is required to be carried forward to the following fiscal year to support the purposes of the ICAC Unit.

      As amended and reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 5983 is identical to Senate Bill No. 4879 (1R), which was also reported by the committee on this date.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments make technical changes to the bill, making it identical to Senate Bill No. 4879 (1R).