Relates to stalking a police officer, peace officer, correction officer or firefighter

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Angelino and 9 co-sponsors

A 4201 strengthens stalking laws when the target is police, peace, correction officers, or firefighters, boosting penalties and protections for public safety personnel.

REFERRED TO CODES

Overview

Bill number and title: A 4201 — Relates to stalking a police officer, peace officer, correction officer or firefighter

Status: Referred to Codes (Committee)

Introduced: January 31, 2025

Sponsor (primary): Mike Reilly

Cosponsors: Michael Novakhov, Joseph Sempolinski, Jerett Gandolfo, David DiPietro, Joe DeStefano, Andrew Molitor, Joe Angelino, Philip Palmesano, Stephen Hawley

Related bills (prior sessions): A 10944, A 5226, A 3139

Note: The text of the bill is not provided here. This summary reflects the bill’s title, stated purpose, and the available procedural information.

Purpose and Intent

The title indicates the bill would address the offense of stalking when the target is a public safety professional—including police officers, peace officers, correction officers, or firefighters.

The likely aim is to strengthen protections for these professionals by creating or expanding stalking-related offenses or penalties specific to targeting such individuals, thereby providing greater deterrence and prosecutorial tools.

Key Provisions (Inferred from Title)

The bill would relate to stalking of designated public safety personnel. While the exact statutory changes are not listed here, typical elements in such measures may include:

Creation or modification of a stalking offense applicable specifically when the victim is a police, peace, correction officer, or firefighter.
Enhanced penalties or sentencing provisions for offenses against these targets.
Definitions clarifying acts that constitute stalking in this context (e.g., repeated unwanted contact, following, surveillance, threats) and possibly establishing a higher standard or separate offense.
Possible provisions related to protective orders or agency notifications.

The precise language, scope, and penalties would be found in the bill’s text once released from the Codes Committee.

Affected Parties

Primary and potential-directly-affected: police officers, peace officers, correction officers, and firefighters who could be targeted by stalking.

Indirectly affected: colleagues, families, and agencies responsible for the safety and welfare of public safety personnel; prosecutors and defense attorneys handling stalking charges involving public safety personnel.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Current status: Referred to Codes (as of January 31, 2025). No further actions listed in the provided data.

Next steps in process: Likely consideration by the Assembly Codes Committee, hearings, amendments, and potential floor votes. If advanced, the bill would proceed to full Assembly action and, if passed, move to the Senate for consideration.

Legislative Context and History

The bill’s title and related-session bills (A 10944, A 5226, A 3139) suggest ongoing legislative interest in strengthening protections for public safety personnel from stalking and related harassment.

The presence of multiple cosponsors indicates broad legislative support and emphasis on this issue.

Practical Takeaways

If enacted, A 4201 would potentially create or enhance legal mechanisms to deter and penalize stalking directed at police, peace, correction officers, and firefighters.

Stakeholders should monitor the Codes Committee activity and review the bill’s text upon release for specific definitions, penalties, and procedural provisions.

Bill