New Jersey law makes use of signal jammers a fourth-degree crime under new bill
TRENTON, NJ — A newly signed bipartisan law will now make the use of signal jammers a criminal offense in New Jersey, aiming to protect communication networks from interference that can impact emergency responders, residents, and businesses.
Governor Phil Murphy signed Senate Bill S-3529, introduced by Senator Jon Bramnick (R-Union, Morris, Somerset), which criminalizes the use of devices designed to intentionally disrupt radio signals and wireless transmissions.
Under the new law, it is a fourth-degree crime to interfere with or cause interference to any radio communications operated by or licensed under federal law, including transmissions used by emergency services or the U.S. government. The bill also addresses unlawful use of scanning receivers that are capable of intercepting domestic cellular transmissions, or can be modified or used to decode digital cellular transmissions into analog voice.
A fourth-degree crime in New Jersey is punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
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Supporters of the legislation said that signal jammers present a safety risk by potentially disrupting emergency communications or blocking critical messages during public safety incidents. With the bill now signed into law, the state joins other jurisdictions taking legal action to curb the use of such devices.
Key Points
• Governor signed S-3529, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Sen. Bramnick to criminalize signal jammers
• The law makes it a fourth-degree crime to disrupt licensed or federal radio communications
• Also prohibits unauthorized use of scanning receivers capable of intercepting or decoding cellular signals
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