New Jersey A 2591: Provides for reduction in suspended sentence, probation, or parole based on compliance with conditions of sentence; requires report on effect on recidivism.

Bill Text

A2591 

ASSEMBLY, No. 2591 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman CARMEN THERESA MORALES

District 34 (Essex)

SYNOPSIS

���� Provides for reduction in suspended sentence, 
probation, or parole based on compliance with conditions of sentence; requires 
report on effect on recidivism.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative 
Counsel.

�� 

An Act concerning suspended sentences, probation, and 
parole, supplementing chapter 45 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes and 
Title 30 of the Revised Statutes, and amending various parts of the statutory law.

���� Be It 
Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of 
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� (New section)� a.� A 
defendant who is in compliance with the conditions of suspension or probation 
may be entitled to an earlier discharge from the period of suspension or 
probation pursuant to N.J.S.2C:45-2.� 

���� b.��� A defendant�s period of 
suspension or probation shall be reduced by 30 days for each full calendar 
month the defendant is in compliance.� For the purposes of this section, 
�compliance� shall mean the absence of a violation of a condition of suspension 
or probation as set forth in N.J.S.2C:45-1.� 

���� c.���� A defendant who has 
been convicted of aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated 
criminal sexual contact, kidnapping pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection c. 
of N.J.S.2C:13-1, endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual 
conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of the child pursuant to 
subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:24-4, endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to 
paragraph (3), (4), or subparagraph (a) of paragraph (5) of subsection b. of 
N.J.S.2C:24-4; luring or enticing pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1993, c.291 
(C.2C:13-6); kidnapping pursuant to N.J.S.2C:13-1, criminal restraint pursuant 
to N.J.S.2C:13-2, or false imprisonment pursuant to N.J.S.2C:13-3 if the victim 
is a minor and the offender is not the parent of the victim; knowingly 
promoting prostitution of a child pursuant to paragraph (3) or paragraph (4) of 
subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:34-1; or an attempt to commit any of these offenses shall 
be ineligible to receive an earlier discharge pursuant to this section.

���� d.��� The court shall review a 
defendant�s compliance and eligibility to receive a reduction under this 
section at least once every six months.� 

���� 2.��� N.J.S.2C:45-2 is amended 
to read as follows:

���� 2C:45-2.���� Period of 
Suspension or Probation; Modification of Conditions; Discharge of Defendant.

���� a.���� When the court has 
suspended imposition of sentence or has sentenced a defendant to be placed on 
probation, the period of the suspension shall be fixed by the court at not to 
exceed the maximum term which could have been imposed or more than [5] five 
years, whichever is lesser. The period of probation shall be fixed by 
the 

court at not less than [1] one 
year nor more than [5] five 
years.� The period of suspension or probation may be reduced as a result of 
a defendant�s compliance with the conditions of suspension or probation in 
accordance with section 1 of P.L.��� , c.��� (C.������� ) (pending before the 
Legislature as this bill). �The court, on application of a probation 
officer or of the defendant, or on its own motion, may discharge the defendant 
at any time.� 

���� b.��� During the period of the 
suspension or probation, the court, on application of a probation officer or of 
the defendant, or on its own motion, may (1) modify the requirements imposed on 
the defendants; or (2) add further requirements authorized by N.J.S.2C:45-1.� 
The court shall eliminate any requirement that imposes an unreasonable burden 
on the defendant.� 

���� c.���� Upon the termination of 
the period of suspension or probation or the earlier discharge of the 
defendant, the defendant shall be relieved of any obligations imposed by the 
order of the court and shall have satisfied his sentence for the offense unless 
the defendant has failed:� 

���� (1)�� to fulfill conditions 
imposed pursuant to paragraph b. (11) of N.J.S.2C:45-1, in which event the 
court may order that the probationary period be extended for an additional 
period not to exceed that authorized by subsection a. of this section; or� 

���� (2)�� to fulfill the 
conditions imposed pursuant to subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:45-1, in which event 
the court shall order that the probationary period be extended for an 
additional period not to exceed that authorized by subsection a. of this 
section.� 

���� The extension may be entered 
by the court without the defendant's personal appearance if the defendant 
agrees to the extension.� 

���� Notwithstanding any provision 
in this section to the contrary, any order of the court prohibiting contact 
with a victim imposed on a defendant convicted of a sex offense shall conti