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A 2727

Dedicates a portion of the state highway system to "Trooper Jill E. Mattice"

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Angelino

Allows Class Two and Three special law enforcement officers to keep department firearms off duty, removing the end-of-shift return requirement while maintaining training and permit

SUBSTITUTED BY S2110D
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 2727

Summary — A2727 (Introduced Jan 9, 2024; SUBSTITUTED BY S2110D)

Overview / Purpose

A2727, as introduced, would amend Section 7 of P.L.1985, c.439 (C.40A:14-146.14) governing "special law enforcement officers" (commonly Class Two and Class Three officers) in New Jersey. The primary stated purpose is to remove the statutory requirement that those officers return their department-authorized firearms at the end of their work shift. The bill also clarifies other operational, training, and equipment rules for special law enforcement officers.

(Note: the bill header provided to the analyst lists a different short title — “Dedicates a portion of the state highway system to ‘Trooper Jill E. Mattice’.” The body text and statutory citations reviewed concern special law enforcement officers. That suggests a clerical/title mismatch between the file header and the bill text; this summary treats the bill text on special law enforcement officers as the operative content.)

Key provisions

  • Removes the statutory mandate that Class Two and Class Three special law enforcement officers return firearms to the station at the end of their shift.
  • States that any special law enforcement officer first appointed after the bill’s effective date shall use only firearms supplied by the local unit.
  • Retains that officers may carry firearms only while performing official duties and when authorized by the chief (or other chief law enforcement officer), and only after completing required firearms training and annual requalification.
  • Restates and clarifies existing rules on:
    • On-duty/off-duty status (off-duty private security duties do not count as “on duty” unless assigned and supervised by the chief).
    • Supervision and jurisdiction (duties generally limited to the appointing local unit, except fresh pursuit or under mutual aid).
    • Training requirements and permits: for certain officers in locales with population >300,000 (1980 census benchmark), sets out required Police Training Commission courses, 280 hours of specified training, annual weapons qualification, and a permit to carry off-duty within the municipality/county (permit renewable annually and revocable).
  • Effective date: immediately upon enactment (per introduced text).

Who is affected

  • Class Two and Class Three special law enforcement officers (part-time/special officers).
  • Local units (municipalities and counties), police chiefs and county sheriffs responsible for authorizations and supervision.
  • Private employers that contract for officer services and municipalities that receive reimbursement.
  • Residents and communities where officers may now retain department firearms outside shifts (subject to training/permit rules).

Procedural status (selected)

  • Introduced in Assembly Jan 9, 2024; referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee.
  • Referred to Transportation (Jan 22, 2025) with multiple committee amendments and reprints (A2727A–D).
  • Reported and placed on Rules calendar; ordered to third reading.
  • 2025-06-10: SUBSTITUTED BY S2110D (A2727 replaced by Senate bill S2110D for further legislative action).

Related legislation

  • Companion/prior-session: S2110 (and later S2110D), S803 (companion).

Considerations / Potential impacts

  • Operational: Permitting officers to retain firearms outside shift changes administrative streamlining for agencies but raises training, storage, and oversight considerations.
  • Liability and public-safety questions: retention of firearms off-duty may prompt policy reviews by chiefs/sheriffs and possible local ordinance or departmental policy adjustments.
  • Training and certification requirements remain central to permitting off-duty carry; enforcement and recordkeeping responsibilities rest with local chiefs/sheriffs.

If you want, I can: (1) compare A2727’s final language to S2110D to show differences, or (2) prepare a short briefing for municipal police chiefs on operational impacts.

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

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