The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.New Jersey bill makes tampering with school bus cameras a fourth-degree crime
Last action · January 13, 2026: Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary CommitteeSponsors: Gerry Scharfenberger and 4 others
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What This Bill Would Do
New Jersey bill A819 makes it a fourth-degree crime to purposely alter, destroy, conceal, remove, or disable any camera or monitoring device on a school bus.
The measure establishes criminal penalties including up to 18 months in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, for individuals who interfere with school bus recording equipment.
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.
School bus operators and districts
Bus monitoring equipment is legally protected against intentional tampering, and individuals who damage or disable the devices face criminal penalties.
New Jersey residents
Individuals are subject to criminal liability of a fourth-degree crime if they purposely alter, destroy, or disable school bus cameras or recording media.
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
What specific actions are prohibited by the bill?
What is the penalty for interfering with a school bus monitoring device?
When does the law take effect?
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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 Judiciary 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- Significance40How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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