ASSEMBLY PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 124

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 28, 2026

      The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 124.

      As reported by the committee, this bill upgrades simple assault against State-employed civil investigators to aggravated assault under certain circumstances. 

      Under the bill, a person commits aggravated assault by committing simple assault against a civil investigator employed by a State department or agency who is clearly identifiable as acting in the performance of their duties, or while exhibiting evidence of authority, or because of the investigator’s status as a civil investigator.

      Current law upgrades simple assault to aggravated assault when committed against certain professionals acting within the scope of their duties, including law enforcement officers, Supreme Court Justices, Superior and Tax Court Judges, Department of Corrections employees, utility workers, and healthcare workers.  This bill adds State-employed civil investigators to this list of protected persons.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.I