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A 436

Classifies pistol converters as a rapid-fire modification device

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rebecca Seawright and 1 co-sponsor

Makes knowingly damaging a historic place or site a third-degree felony (3-5 years, fines up to $15,000), with restitution for graffiti and eviction-related damage.

SUBSTITUTED BY S744
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 436

Summary of Assembly Bill A-436 (as Introduced) — Substituted by S-744

Note: The bill’s title references “pistol converters as a rapid-fire modification device,” but the version content provided focuses on amending the criminal mischief statute and adding protections for historic places. A-436 was later substituted by Senate Bill S-744.

What the bill would do (purpose and intent)

  • Amend N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3 (Criminal Mischief) to expand the situations that constitute criminal mischief, including a new focus on damaging, interfering with, or tampering with historic places or sites.
  • Establish a specific felony designation (third degree) for knowingly damaging or tampering with a historic place or site, and define what qualifies as a “historic place or site.”
  • Add related penalties and restitution provisions tied to acts of graffiti and damage to rental premises.

Key provisions and changes

  • New targeted offense: Knowingly damaging, interfering with, or tampering with a historic place or site would be a crime of the third degree (3- to 5-year prison term, up to $15,000 fine, or both).
  • Definition of “historic place or site”: A place, building, monument, or structure that:
    • Is approved for inclusion in the New Jersey Register of Historic Places or the National Register of Historic Places; or
    • Is identified in a county or municipal master plan as a place of historic interest; or
    • Has official recognition of historic value or significance per criteria set by the State Agriculture Development Committee.
  • Graffiti-related penalties: A person convicted of criminal mischief involving graffiti may be ordered to pay restitution to the owner for the pecuniary damage and perform community service (minimum 20 days, or as many days as needed to remove the graffiti).
  • Rental premises retaliation: If criminal mischief involves damaging a rental premises in retaliation for eviction proceedings, the offender may owe restitution equal to the pecuniary damage.
  • Other existing offenses retained: The act reiterates various existing criminal mischief categories (e.g., damage to property, tampering with critical infrastructure like airports, utilities, or public services) and assigns corresponding degrees (third, fourth, or second degree) depending on the severity and consequences (including potential bodily injury or death).

Who is affected

  • Property owners and tenants (graffiti restitution, eviction-related damage restitution).
  • Owners/keepers of historic places or sites (new third-degree offense status for damage/tampering).
  • Public infrastructure and facilities (airports, utilities, and public services) due to ongoing criminal mischief provisions.
  • General public, through the enhancement of protections for historic resources.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024 (A-436, Assembly).
  • Committee actions: Referred to Assembly Judiciary; later actions show movement through Codes and Rules, with multiple reporting steps.
  • Substitution: The bill was substituted by S-744 (Senate companion) on March 19, 2025.
  • Status: Substituted by S-744; the legislative path indicates the substantive content may have moved to the Senate bill.
  • Effective date: If enacted, the act states it shall take effect immediately.

Sponsors and related measures

  • Sponsors: Jo Anne Simon (primary), Rebecca Seawright (co-sponsor).
  • Related bill: S-744 (companion in the Senate).

This summary captures the introduced bill’s core changes to criminal mischief with a new emphasis on historic places, the associated penalties, and the procedural path, noting the substitution by S-744 and the potential for content alignment with the Senate version.

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

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