New Jersey § 2c:7-2

Full text of New Jersey New Jersey Statutes § 2c:7-2, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 2c:7-2.

a. (1) A person who has been convicted, adjudicated delinquent or found not guilty

by reason of insanity for commission of a sex offense as defined in subsection b.

of this section shall register as provided in subsections c. and d. of this section. (2) A person who in another jurisdiction is required to register as a sex offender

and (a) is enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis in any public or private educational

institution in this State, including any secondary school, trade or professional institution,

institution of higher education or other post-secondary school, or (b) is employed

or carries on a vocation in this State, on either a full-time or a part-time basis,

with or without compensation, for more than 14 consecutive days or for an aggregate

period exceeding 30 days in a calendar year, shall register in this State as provided

in subsections c. and d. of this section. (3) A person who fails to register as required under this act 1 shall be guilty of a crime of the third degree. b. For the purposes of this act a sex offense shall include the following: (1) Aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact,

kidnapping pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:13-1 or an attempt to commit any of these crimes if the court found that the offender's

conduct was characterized by a pattern of repetitive, compulsive behavior, regardless

of the date of the commission of the offense or the date of conviction; (2) A conviction, adjudication of delinquency, or acquittal by reason of insanity

for 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) or (4) , subparagraph (a) , or sub-subparagraph (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (b) 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 ); criminal sexual contact pursuant to N.J.S.2C:14-3b . if the victim is a minor; 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 ; leader of a child pornography network pursuant to section 8 of P.L.2017, c. 141 ( C.2C:24-4.1 ); or an attempt to commit any of these enumerated offenses if the conviction, adjudication

of delinquency or acquittal by reason of insanity is entered on or after the effective

date of this act 2 or the offender is serving a sentence of incarceration, probation, parole or other

form of community supervision as a result of the offense or is confined following

acquittal by reason of insanity or as a result of civil commitment on the effective

date of this act; (3) A conviction, adjudication of delinquency , or acquittal by reason of insanity for an offense similar to any offense enumerated

in paragraph (2) or a sentence on the basis of criteria similar to the criteria set

forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection entered or imposed under the laws of the

United States, this State , or another state ; (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), (2) , or (3) of this subsection, a sex offense shall not include an adjudication of delinquency

for endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to paragraph (4) or (5) of subsection

b. of N.J.S.2C:24-4 , provided that the actor demonstrates that: (a) the facts of the case are limited to the creation, exhibition or distribution

of a photograph depicting nudity or portraying a child in a sexually suggestive manner, as defined in N.J.S.2C:24-4 , through the use of an electronic communications device, an interactive wireless communications

device, or a computer; (b) the creator and subject of the photograph are juveniles or were juveniles at the

time of its making; and (c) the subject of the photograph whose nudity is depicted or who is portrayed in a sexually suggestive manner, as the case may be, knowingly consented to the making of the photograph. c. A person required to register under the provisions of this act shall do so on forms

to be provided by the designated registering agency as follows: (1) A person who is required to register and who is under supervision in the community

on probation, parole, furlough, work release, or a similar program, shall register

at the time the person is placed under supervision or no later than 120 days after

the effective date of this act, whichever is later, in accordance with procedures

established by the Department of Corrections, the Department of Human Services, the

Juvenile Justice Commission established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1995, c. 284 ( C.52:17B-170 ) or the Administrative Office of the Courts, whichever is responsible for supervision; (2) A person confined in a correctional or juvenile facility or involuntarily committed

who is required to register shall register prior to release in accordance with procedures

established by the Department of Corrections, the Department of Human Services or

the Juvenile Justice Commission and, within 48 hours of release, shall also register

with the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the person resides

or, if the municipality does not have a local police force, the Superintendent of

State Police; (3) A person moving to or returning to this State from another jurisdiction shall

register with the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the person

will reside or, if the municipality does not have a local police force, the Superintendent

of State Police within 120 days of the effective date of this act or 10 days of first

residing in or returning to a municipality in this State, whichever is later; (4) A person required to register on the basis of a conviction prior to the effective

date who is not confined or under supervision on the effective date of this act shall

register within 120 days of the effective date of this act with the chief law enforcement

officer of the municipality in which the person will reside or, if the municipality

does not have a local police force, the Superintendent of State Police; (5) A person who in another jurisdiction is required to register as a sex offender

and who is enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis in any public or private educational

institution in this State, including any secondary school, trade or professional institution,

institution of higher education or other post-secondary school shall, within ten days

of commencing attendance at such educational institution, register with the chief

law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the educational institution is

located or, if the municipality does not have a local police force, the Superintendent

of State Police; (6) A person who in another jurisdiction is required to register as a sex offender

and who is employed or carries on a vocation in this State, on either a full-time

or a part-time basis, with or without compensation, for more than 14 consecutive days

or for an aggregate period exceeding 30 days in a calendar year, shall, within ten

days after commencing such employment or vocation, register with the chief law enforcement

officer of the municipality in which the employer is located or where the vocation

is carried on, as the case may be, or, if the municipality does not have a local police

force, the Superintendent of State Police; (7) In addition to any other registration requirements set forth in this section,

a person required to register under this act who is enrolled at, employed by or carries

on a vocation at an institution of higher education or other post-secondary school

in this State shall, within 10 days after commencing such attendance, employment or vocation, register with the

law enforcement unit of the educational institution, if the institution has such a

unit. d. (1) Upon a change of address, a person shall notify the law enforcement agency

with which the person is registered and shall re-register with the appropriate law

enforcement agency no less than 10 days before he intends to first reside at his new

address. Upon a change of employment or school enrollment status, a person shall notify the

appropriate law enforcement agency no later than five days after any such change. A person who fails to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of a change

of address or status in accordance with this subsection is guilty of a crime of the

third degree. (2) A person required to register under this act 3 shall provide the appropriate law enforcement agency with information as to whether

the person has routine access to or use of a computer or any other device with Internet

capability. A person who fails to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of such information

or of a change in the person's access to or use of a computer or other device with

Internet capability or who provides false information concerning the person's access

to or use of a computer or any other device with Internet capability is guilty of

a crime of the third degree. e. A person required to register under paragraph (1) of subsection b. of this section

or under paragraph (3) of subsection b. due to a sentence imposed on the basis of

criteria similar to the criteria set forth in paragraph (1) of subsection b. shall

verify his address with the appropriate law enforcement agency every 90 days in a

manner prescribed by the Attorney General. A person required to register under paragraph (2) of subsection b. of this section

or under paragraph (3) of subsection b. on the basis of a conviction for an offense

similar to an offense enumerated in paragraph (2) of subsection b. shall verify his

address annually in a manner prescribed by the Attorney General. In addition to address information, the person shall provide as part of the verification

process any additional information the Attorney General may require. One year after the effective date of this act, the Attorney General shall review,

evaluate and, if warranted, modify pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,”

P.L.1968, c. 410 ( C.52:14B-1 et seq. ) the verification requirement. Any person who knowingly provides false information concerning his place of residence

or who fails to verify his address with the appropriate law enforcement agency or

other entity, as prescribed by the Attorney General in accordance with this subsection,

is guilty of a crime of the third degree. f. Except as provided in subsection g. of this section, a person required to register

under this act may make application to the Superior Court of this State to terminate

the obligation upon proof that the person has not committed an offense within 15 years

following conviction or release from a correctional facility for any term of imprisonment

imposed, whichever is later, and is not likely to pose a threat to the safety of others. g. A person required to register under this section who has been convicted of, adjudicated

delinquent, or acquitted by reason of insanity for more than one sex offense as defined

in subsection b. of this section or who has been convicted of, adjudicated delinquent,

or acquitted by reason of insanity for aggravated sexual assault pursuant to subsection

a. of N.J.S.2C:14-2 or sexual assault pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection c. of N.J.S.2C:14-2 is not eligible under subsection f. of this section to make application to the Superior

Court of this State to terminate the registration obligation. 1

N.J.S.A. § 2C:7-1 et seq. 2

L.1994, c. 133, eff. Oct. 31, 1994. 3

L.2007, c. 219.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey § 2c:7-2

What does New Jersey Statutes § 2c:7-2 cover?

Section 2c:7-2 is part of the New Jersey Statutes, the codified statutory law of New Jersey. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite New Jersey § 2c:7-2?

A common citation format is "New Jersey Statutes § 2c:7-2" (New Jersey). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of New Jersey law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Jersey official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Jersey attorney.

How does New Jersey § 2c:7-2 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Jersey can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

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