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Read. Follow. Verify.New Jersey bill requires criminal background checks and prohibits name changes for individuals convicted of violent crimes or domestic violence
Last action · January 13, 2026: Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness CommitteeSponsors: Flynn, Victoria A. and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
New Jersey requires individuals seeking a legal name change to undergo a and prohibits name changes for anyone convicted of a violent crime or domestic violence offense, unless the request is made for religious reasons.
Applicants for a name change must pay for fingerprint-based background checks through state and federal databases, and crime victims or their families will be notified if a convicted offender applies for a new name.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Name change applicants
Applicants must submit to fingerprint-based background checks, pay the associated costs, and face prohibitions or victim notifications if they have specific criminal convictions.
Victims of violent crimes or domestic violence
Victims or their immediate family members will receive official notification if an offender convicted of a violent crime or domestic violence requests a name change.
Division of State Police
The State Police are required to conduct criminal history record background checks by examining their own files and coordinating federal checks upon court requests.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to pay for the criminal background check?
Can anyone with a criminal record change their name under this bill?
What happens if an applicant has pending criminal charges?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
njleg.state.nj.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy35Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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