WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 502

Relates to the location of the principal office of the cannabis control board and office of cannabis management

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Phil Steck

Prohibits sex offenders from jobs with 80%+ duties involving contact with children; makes employers and offenders criminally liable (third degree) with 3–5 years and/or $15,000.

REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 502

Summary of Assembly Bill No. 502 (A-502)

Note: The bill described here addresses prohibitions related to sex offenders holding or seeking employment positions that primarily involve contact with children. It is sometimes labeled in committee materials as a measure to protect children and youth.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill is intended to protect children and youth in New Jersey by prohibiting sex offenders from holding jobs that primarily consist of contact with children.
  • It defines “primarily consists of contact with children” as 80 percent or more of duties or responsibilities involving contact with a child.
  • It uses Megan’s Law definitions to identify qualified “sex offenders.”

Key provisions

  • Offense structure:
    • It is a crime of the third degree for a sex offender to hold a job that primarily consists of contact with children.
    • It is also a crime of the third degree to knowingly hire a sex offender for a job that primarily consists of contact with children.
  • Exceptions:
    • The act does not apply to participation by a sex offender under 18 years of age in a job that provides rehabilitative or other services to juvenile sex offenders.
  • Effective date:
    • The act is stated to take effect immediately upon enactment.

Definitions (important terms)

  • “Primarily consists of contact with children”: 80% or more of actual or official duties involve contact with a child.
  • “Sex offender”: A person convicted, adjudicated delinquent, or found not guilty by reason of insanity for a sex offense as defined under Megan’s Law (N.J.S.A. 2C:7-2).

Who is affected

  • Individuals labeled as sex offenders under Megan’s Law, who would otherwise have jobs involving substantial contact with children.
  • Employers or entities that place individuals in positions where 80%+ of duties involve contact with children.
  • Juvenile rehabilitation or juvenile sex-offender services programs, under the specified exception.

Penalties

  • Offense classification: Third degree.
  • Penalties for each offense may include:
    • 3 to 5 years imprisonment, and/or
    • A fine of up to $15,000, or both.

Procedural/Timeline and status

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024.
  • Initial committee action: Referred to the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee; report favorable noted May 16, 2024.
  • Further actions listed: Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (May 16, 2024); later listed as referred to Ways and Means (January 8, 2025).
  • Current status: Referred to Ways and Means (as noted in the provided materials).

Sponsors and related bills

  • Primary sponsor: Phil Steck.
  • Related bill: A 7676 (prior-session).

Practical impact

  • Creates criminal liability for sex offenders in most employment contexts that involve substantial interaction with children.
  • Increases employer scrutiny for positions with high child-contact requirements.
  • Could affect program placement for juvenile offenders and rehabilitative work involving youth offenders.

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

Sign in to ask a question.