ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 89

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 12, 2024

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Joint Resolution No. 89.

This resolution unequivocally rejects and condemns all forms of hatred, hate-based violence, incitements to violence, and any form of racism, religious or ethnic bias, discrimination, or animus targeting persons by race, religion, ethnicity, physical or mental disability, age, marriage, familial status, gender, or sexual orientation.

     The resolution recognizes that the Governor and the Attorney General should continue to provide assistance to victims of hate crimes, enhance security measures, improve preparedness, and develop new ways to understand and combat hatred and bias crimes.

     The State of New Jersey is firmly committed to never allowing hatred and bigotry to go unchecked and unchallenged and to protecting its residents from the harm that hatred can cause.  It is the mission of the State of New Jersey to promote a vibrant, livable, and inclusive community which celebrates the diversity of its residents, support all of its community members, prevent the spread of misinformation, and reject hatred and bias in all forms.

     It is in the public interest of the residents of the State of New Jersey to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, any and all forms of hatred, violence, incitement to violence, and criminality against any individual motivated by race, religion, ethnicity, physical or mental disability, age, marriage, familial status, gender, or sexual orientation.

      This resolution was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the resolution includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the resolution to:

      (1) replace the term “citizens” with “residents;”

      (2) correct the name of the Division on Civil Rights; and

      (3) make technical changes.