SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2789

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 19, 2026

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 2789.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill requires law enforcement officers to have a digital photograph taken regularly.

      Under the amended bill, law enforcement officers are required to have their photograph taken every three years.  The photograph is to be included in the officer’s personnel file and on any photographic identification card issued by the agency employing the law enforcement officer.

      The Attorney General, in consultation with the Superintendent of State Police, is required to establish guidelines for the purposes of effectuating this bill.

      It is the committee’s understanding that a law enforcement officer is required to renew a law enforcement officer license every three years pursuant to current law. Accordingly, this bill requires a law enforcement officer to also have a photograph taken every three years.

      This bill was prefiled 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.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to require law enforcement officers to have their photograph taken every three years; as introduced, photographs were to be taken every 10 years.