SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2503

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 11, 2020

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2503.

      As reported by the committee, this bill upgrades strangulation assault to a second degree crime.

Under current law, strangulation is a third degree crime, punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.  This bill elevates strangulation, committed in the domestic violence context against a victim of domestic violence, to a second degree crime, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $150,000, or both.