WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SCR 16

Amends State Constitution to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Stack and 3 co-sponsors

New Jersey constitutional amendment eliminates state authorization of involuntary servitude as criminal punishment, modernizing protections against forced labor.

Withdrawn from Consideration
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SCR 16

Legislative bill overview

SCR 16 proposes a constitutional amendment to New Jersey's state constitution that would explicitly prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude within the state. This measure seeks to remove language that currently allows involuntary servitude as punishment for crime, aligning New Jersey's constitution with modern standards and the intent of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Why is this important

New Jersey's current constitution contains a provision permitting involuntary servitude as criminal punishment—a remnant from an earlier era that contrasts with the state's progressive positioning. This amendment would formally close that loophole, ensuring the state constitution unambiguously rejects all forms of forced labor. It also reflects a broader national movement to remove similar language from state constitutions, with several states having already made comparable changes.

Potential points of contention

  • Criminal justice implications: Some may argue the current language serves legitimate penological purposes for sentenced inmates, though proponents counter that modern alternatives exist
  • Symbolic vs. practical effect: Questions about whether the change is primarily symbolic given federal law already prohibits slavery, or whether state-level removal has meaningful legal consequences
  • Implementation details: Unclear how existing statutes referencing inmate labor programs would be affected or whether workforce programs in correctional facilities would require restructuring

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.