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Bill

A 1921

Provides outpatient insurance coverage for non-opioid treatment of chronic pain

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dana Levenberg and 1 co-sponsor

Standardizes NJ bias-incident investigation guidelines; mandates rapid reporting, interagency coordination, training, and victim referrals to improve response and justice.

PRINT NUMBER 1921A
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 1921

Note on bill title: The header information provided with this request lists a different subject (insurance coverage for non-opioid chronic pain treatment). The legislative documents supplied for A‑1921, however, make clear the bill concerns bias‑incident investigation standards. This summary reflects the bill text and committee reports provided (bias‑incident standards).

Summary — A‑1921 (Assembly Committee Substitute / Printed A1921A)
Purpose
- To codify and standardize Attorney General guidelines for how New Jersey law‑enforcement agencies detect, report, investigate, and follow up on suspected or confirmed bias incidents, and to require training, interagency notification, victim referrals, and periodic guideline review.

Key provisions
- Definition
- “Bias incident” is defined as any suspected or confirmed violation of paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection a. of section 1 of P.L.2001, c.443 (C.2C:16‑1) (i.e., conduct that may constitute bias intimidation or related conduct).

  • Attorney General guidelines

    • The Attorney General must maintain, periodically review, and revise guidelines on bias‑incident investigation standards and promptly notify chiefs/directors of county/municipal law enforcement, county and municipal prosecutors, and the Superintendent of State Police of any revisions.
    • The guidelines must, at minimum, require the items below.

  • Reporting and notifications

    • County and municipal law‑enforcement agencies must report all suspected or confirmed bias incidents via the Electronic Uniform Crime Reporting system as soon as practicable, but no later than 24 hours after initial law‑enforcement response.
    • Agencies must immediately notify the Attorney General and county prosecutor for incidents involving circumstances designated by the AG (examples include homicide, sexual assault, aggravated assault, arson; organized hate‑group involvement; or potential to generate large‑scale public unrest).
    • The guidelines must require instant notification (as determined by the AG) to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP), Division of State Police, Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and bias‑crime officers of each county prosecutor’s office. NJOHSP is directed to review incidents for any nexus to terrorism and, if appropriate, enter them into the state Suspicious Activity Reporting System.

  • Prosecutor coordination

    • County prosecutors must promptly notify the Attorney General when they intend to file an accusation or seek an indictment alleging bias intimidation.

  • Investigation, initial response, and supervisory duties

    • Procedures for initial response at scenes and for supervisory actions are specified (apprehend suspect, assist victim, preserve scene, collect witness information, prepare incident reports, increase security/patrols as appropriate, prevent escalation, ensure follow‑up investigation).

  • Follow‑up investigations and victim services

    • Follow‑up investigations must be conducted by trained investigators/detectives; victims must be kept informed, referred to social services or the Division on Civil Rights when appropriate, and provided victim‑witness advocacy referrals.
    • Agencies must inform victims about Division on Civil Rights jurisdiction when the incident may implicate the Law Against Discrimination and refer contact as appropriate.

  • Confirmation criteria and training

    • The bill requires guidelines to include criteria officers should apply when deciding whether an incident is a bias incident (e.g., lack of another motive, bias symbols/graffiti, suspect/witness statements, prior similar incidents, totality of circumstances). Borderline cases should be treated as bias incidents for continued investigation.
    • Mandates provisions for training and continuing education curricula for detection, reporting, investigation, and prosecution of bias incidents and crimes; the DCJ must update/create continuing ed. courses in consultation with police/prosecutor associations and community stakeholders.

Who would be affected
- County and municipal law‑enforcement agencies and their chiefs/directors (new reporting, notification, training, and investigation requirements).
- County and municipal prosecutors and DCJ (notification and coordination responsibilities).
- NJOHSP and State Police (automated notification and incident review for terrorism nexus).
- Victims of suspected bias incidents (formalized referrals, communication, and support).
- Community groups and leaders (expected role in outreach and post‑incident response).

Implementation and timeline
- The Assembly Committee Substitute states the act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
- It requires ongoing AG maintenance and periodic review of guidelines; implementation will involve updating local policies, training curricula, and electronic reporting processes.

Legislative status (select actions)
- Introduced Jan 9, 2024; reported to committees Sept 19, 2024; committee substitute reported Jan 27, 2025.
- Passed Assembly Feb 27, 2025 (75‑0‑0).
- Received in Senate March 3, 2025; referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
- Printed as A1921A (May 21, 2025); legislative history also shows amendments and recommitments to Insurance on May 21, 2025 (agency referrals may reflect concurrent committee actions).

Sponsors and related legislation
- Primary sponsors: Assembly Members Amy Paulin, Annette Quijano, Ellen J. Park (and others listed).
- Companion/related bills: S‑4803, S‑3185; prior session A‑9716.

Potential impact
- Standardizes and accelerates reporting and interagency coordination for bias‑related incidents statewide.
- Likely increases workload and training needs for local agencies but aims to improve data quality, victim services, prosecution readiness, community relations, and the state’s ability to evaluate threats (including potential terrorism nexus).

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

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