Bill summary — S4842 (print number 4842A)
Status: REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
Introduced: November 10, 2025 (print number 4842A issued April 8, 2025)
Classification: bill
Sponsors (selected): Patricia Fahy (primary), Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Julia Salazar, Rachel May, Brian Kavanagh, Lea Webb, Shelley Mayer, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Kevin S. Parker, James Sanders Jr., Jabari Brisport, Pete Harckham, Kristen Gonzalez
Related/companion bills: A5850, A3466; prior-session: S8221, S2689
Note on source materials
- The metadata supplied at the top lists the bill title as “Relates to the utilization of renewable energy at state‑owned facilities in Albany.”
- The available text (Introduced Version / 4842A) instead contains an act concerning the concealment of identity — creating a disorderly persons offense for concealing identity while committing another crime (language referencing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes).
- This summary focuses on the actual legislative text provided (the concealment-of-identity provisions) and also flags the mismatch between title and text.
Purpose / intent
The provided text would create a discrete offense addressing persons who conceal or attempt to conceal their identity (by wearing a mask or disguise) with the purpose of instilling fear, hindering prosecution, or avoiding apprehension while committing another crime or offense. The intent is to authorize a separate disorderly‑persons charge tied to the act of concealing identity during the commission of an underlying criminal offense.
Key provisions
- New disorderly‑persons offense: It is a disorderly‑persons offense to conceal or attempt to conceal one’s identity by wearing a mask or disguise when done with the purpose of instilling fear, hindering prosecution, or avoiding apprehension while committing another crime/offense.
- Exemptions: Wearing a mask or disguise for medical, religious, or expressive purposes is explicitly not considered proof of the forbidden purposes.
- Charging conditions: A person may not be charged under this provision unless:
- They are charged with an underlying crime or offense under Title 2C (criminal code cited in the text); and
- They were wearing a mask or disguise at the time they committed that underlying crime or offense.
- Non‑merger: Convictions under this new offense do not merge with other criminal convictions (and vice versa) for purposes of sentencing or reducing punishment (expressly overriding N.J.S.2C:1‑8 or similar merger rules).
- Effective date: The act, as drafted, takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Penalties / legal impact
- Classified as a disorderly‑persons offense: punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both (as noted in the bill’s statement).
- Creates an additional, separate charge that prosecutors could bring alongside an underlying criminal charge when concealment of identity is implicated.
- The exemptions for medical, religious, or expressive uses limit prosecutorial exposure where mask‑wearing has legitimate reasons.
Who would be affected
- Persons charged with criminal offenses who were wearing masks or disguises at the time of the alleged offense could face an additional disorderly‑persons charge.
- Law enforcement and prosecutors: new charging option; guidance needed to distinguish legitimate mask usage (medical, religious, expressive) from prohibited concealment tied to criminal intent.
- Courts: will adjudicate non‑merger questions and evaluate intent elements and exemptions.
Procedural history (as provided)
- 2025-02-13: Referred to Procurement and Contracts (two entries)
- 2025-04-08: Print number 4842A; Amend and recommit to Procurement and Contracts (two entries)
- 2025-05-13: Reported and committed to Finance (two entries)
- 2025-11-10: Introduced in the Senate; referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
(These dates and committee referrals are drawn from the supplied legislative actions; they contain some duplication and chronological anomalies relative to the stated “Introduced” date.)
Notes / considerations
- The supplied materials contain inconsistent metadata (title referencing renewable energy in Albany) and a legislative text addressing concealment of identity framed under New Jersey statutory citations. Before relying on this summary for advocacy, briefing, or drafting, confirm the correct bill version, jurisdiction, and title with the official legislative records.
