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AR 49

Condemns hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris DePhillips and 1 co-sponsor

AR 49 condemns anti-AAPI hate in New Jersey; a symbolic resolution urging public condemnation of racism, with copies sent to state and federal leaders but no new laws or funding.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
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Bill Summary · AR 49

Summary: Assembly Resolution AR 49 – Condemns hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Overview

  • Bill Type: Assembly Resolution (non-binding)
  • Bill Number: AR 49
  • Title: Condemns hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
  • Status: Introduced in the New Jersey General Assembly on January 9, 2024; referred to the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
  • Subject/Classification: Minority and civil rights; symbolic/policy statement

Purpose and intent

AR 49 expresses formal condemnation of anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) sentiment and all manifestations of racism or ethnic intolerance against AAPI communities in New Jersey. The resolution serves as an official stance by the General Assembly underscoring that AAPI individuals should not live in fear of verbal or physical attacks and that such conduct is intolerable and should be condemned by all residents of the state.

Key provisions

  • Section 1: The Assembly condemns and denounces all anti-AAPI sentiment and all expressions of racism or ethnic intolerance against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
  • Section 2: Requires that copies of the resolution, once filed with the Secretary of State, be transmitted to:
    • Governor of New Jersey
    • Attorney General
    • President and Vice President of the United States
    • Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate
    • Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives
    • Each member of Congress elected from New Jersey
  • Purpose of language: The resolution frames hate crimes and discrimination against AAPI communities as unacceptable and in need of public condemnation and awareness at both state and federal levels.

Background and context included in the resolution

The introduced text includes several background statements (Whereas clauses) intended to justify the resolution:
- New Jersey has around 1 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, roughly 10% of the state population.
- Nationally, AAPI communities account for about 7% of the U.S. population (roughly 23 million).
- AAPI individuals participate across essential sectors (e.g., frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic).
- Following the 2020 onset of COVID-19, there was a notable increase in anti-AAPI hate crimes nationwide.
- Data cited: 3,795 firsthand anti-AAPI hate-crime reports between March 19, 2020, and February 28, 2021; race cited as primary discrimination in over 90% of incidents; higher shares of victims under 20 or over 60 years old among AAPI victims.
- Emphasis on the contributions of AAPI communities to the economy and culture, and the imperative that they not live in fear.

Who/what is affected

  • Direct effect: The resolution itself expresses a state-level moral and political stance; it does not create new laws, duties, or funding.
  • Indirect effects: Signals public policy priorities and may influence public discourse, memorialization, and outreach efforts related to hate crimes and AAPI communities. It may also inform future legislative or administrative considerations at the state and federal levels.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024
  • Status: Referred to the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
  • Next steps: As a resolution, action would typically involve committee consideration and potential floor votes; there is no fiscal or regulatory mandate imposed by this text.

Bottom-line

AR 49 is a symbolic resolution condemning anti-AAPI hate and urging condemnation of racism, with a formal transmission to key state and federal leaders. It highlights NJ’s AAPI community and contextualizes the issue with national statistics and concerns about hate crimes, but it does not establish policies, programs, or funding commitments.

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

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