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A 5561

Requires AG to establish ballistics analysis device pilot program in certain municipalities.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Danielsen and 3 co-sponsors

Establishes a 90-day pilot in 10 high-violence NJ towns where ballistics scanners at scenes speed analysis and inform investigations, with review for permanent funding.

Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments and Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
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Bill Summary · A 5561

Summary — A5561 (Pheffer Amato)

Requires Attorney General to establish a ballistics analysis device pilot program in certain municipalities

Purpose

To test the use of portable ballistics scanning devices in municipalities with the highest violent crime rates to accelerate ballistics analysis, support investigations, and evaluate whether widespread deployment should be continued and funded.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a 90‑day pilot program, administered by the Attorney General (Department of Law & Public Safety), in the 10 municipalities with the highest violent crime rate as determined from Uniform Crime Report data collected by the New Jersey State Police.
  • Provides each participating local law enforcement agency with a ballistics scanning device. The devices:
    • Scan fired cartridge cases at the scene,
    • Immediately upload ballistic information to an investigative portal, and
    • Produce a crime‑scene analysis report shortly after upload to assist timely investigation.
  • Requires participating agencies to use the device as part of their evidentiary, firearm‑intelligence, and investigatory processes during the pilot.
  • Reporting requirements:
    • Within 30 days after the pilot ends, each chief law enforcement officer must submit to the Attorney General a detailed summary of each incident where the device was used and recommend whether the agency should continue using the device.
    • Within 60 days after receiving those reports, the Attorney General must report to the Governor and Legislature with a recommendation on making the program permanent and whether an annual appropriation should be provided to fund device use in municipalities with the highest violent crime rates.
  • Effective date: first day of the second month after enactment.

Who is affected

  • Direct: the 10 identified municipalities and their law enforcement agencies, including chiefs of police.
  • Indirect: investigators, prosecutors, and potentially communities where firearms incidents occur (through changes in investigative speed and evidence handling).
  • State government: Attorney General’s Office (implementation and evaluation), Governor and Legislature (decision on permanence and funding).

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced: February 14, 2025.
  • Committee actions: Reported favorably with amendments by the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee on May 15, 2025; referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
  • Reporting and evaluation: 90‑day pilot followed by 30‑day local reports and a 60‑day statewide recommendation from the AG.

Notes on impact and considerations

  • Potential benefits: faster ballistic matches, more timely investigative leads, improved firearm intelligence.
  • Considerations: training needs, device maintenance and software/investigative‑portal access, data privacy/security, chain‑of‑custody/evidentiary standards, and funding implications if made permanent (the bill contemplates an annual appropriation but does not appropriate funds in the pilot).
  • Committee amendment clarified use of Uniform Crime Report data (most recent data collected by the NJ State Police) to identify the 10 municipalities.

Sponsors and related legislation

  • Primary sponsor: Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato.
  • Related/prior-session bills: A6955, A5678; companion Senate measures: S4668, S4460.

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

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