Bill Text: NJ S2163 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Amended

---

Bill Title: Creates disorderly persons offense for persons who conceal or attempt to conceal their identity while committing another crime or offense.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced) 2026-06-11 - Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee [S2163 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2026-S2163-Amended.html

---

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 2163

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator PAUL D. MORIARTY

District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester)

Senator  DECLAN J. O'SCANLON, JR.

District 13 (Monmouth)

 

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Creates disorderly persons offense for persons who conceal or attempt to conceal their identity while committing another crime or offense.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee on June 11, 2026, with amendments.

  

An Act concerning the concealment of identity and supplementing Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.

 

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

 

     1.    a.  It shall be a disorderly persons offense for a person to conceal or attempt to conceal the person's identity by wearing a mask or disguise with the purpose of instilling fear, hindering prosecution, or avoiding apprehension while committing another crime or offense.  For purposes of this subsection, a person who wears a mask or disguise for medical, religious, or expressive purposes shall not be deemed to have acted with the purpose to instill fear, hinder prosecution, or avoid apprehension.

     b.    A person shall not be charged with a disorderly persons offense, pursuant to subsection a. of this section, unless the person:

     (1)   is charged with an underlying crime or offense under Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes ¹or any other law of this State¹; and

     (2)   was wearing a mask or disguise at the time the person committed the underlying crime or offense.

     c.     Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:1-8 or any other law, a conviction arising under subsection a. of this section shall not merge with a conviction of any other criminal offense, nor shall such other conviction merge with a conviction under subsection a. of this section.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.