Establishes crime of knowingly filing false report against law enforcement officers.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Greenstein and 2 co-sponsors

Creates a distinct third-degree crime for knowingly filing false reports to implicate a law enforcement officer in misconduct punishable by disciplinary action.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee

Summary of Bill S 3683 (Session 222) – New Jersey

Purpose and intent

This bill creates a specific, standalone crime for knowingly filing a false report or providing false information to law enforcement with the purpose of implicating a law enforcement officer in a crime, offense, or professional infraction that would warrant disciplinary action against the officer. It aims to address situations where individuals attempt to undermine or discipline officers by falsely tying them to misconduct.

Key provisions and changes

New offense established: Introduces a distinct third-degree crime for knowingly filing a false report or giving false information to law enforcement with the intent to implicate a law enforcement officer in a crime or professional infraction that could lead to disciplinary action.

This separate offense is described as a third-degree crime, reflecting a moderate-to-serious level of offense.

Relation to existing offenses:

Currently, false incrimination (knowingly giving false information to implicate another) is a crime of the third degree, escalating to second degree if the implicated person would be charged with a first- or second-degree crime.
The bill adds a new third-degree offense specifically for falsely implicating a law enforcement officer in conduct that would warrant disciplinary action, and it explicitly does not merge with the existing false incrimination or false reporting offenses.

Other existing offenses preserved:

Filing or reporting a non-existent offense or incident to law enforcement remains a fourth-degree crime.
Pretending to furnish information to law enforcement when no information exists remains a fourth-degree offense.
There is no requirement that a person know the exact grade of the crime when providing false information (the knowledge element as to the crime’s grade is not required).

Judicial treatment:

The new offense does not merge with the crimes described in subsections a or b of N.J.S.2C:28-4, ensuring prosecutors can pursue multiple related charges in appropriate circumstances.

Who or what would be affected

Individuals and defendants who knowingly file false reports or give false information to implicate law enforcement officers in misconduct.

Law enforcement personnel and departments, as the bill targets actions that would lead to disciplinary proceedings against officers.

Judicial and prosecutorial systems will have a new third-degree charge to address these specific false-implication scenarios.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Effective date: Immediate upon enactment.

Legislative status: Introduced in the Senate (February 24, 2026) and referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

Sponsors: Co-sponsors Latham Tiver, Linda Greenstein, and Angela McKnight.

Practical impact

The bill heightens accountability by creating a targeted offense for attempts to undermine law enforcement through false allegations, with a clear prosecutorial option (third-degree) separate from existing false-incrimination or false-report offenses.

It provides a legal framework to deter and punish false claims that could damage an officer’s career or lead to disciplinary action, without merging with other criminality categories.