A New Jersey bill strengthening oversight and transparency around police use of force, known as the Victoria Lee-related legislation (A-4175), was officially enacted on January 12th.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill, which requires the state’s police use-of-force guidelines to be reviewed every two years.
The legislation was pushed forward by Assemblywoman Ellen Park and others after the death of Victoria Lee, who was experiencing mental health distress when she was fatally shot by responding police officers in July 2024 in Fort Lee.
Under the new law, the New Jersey Attorney General must review police use-of-force guidelines in even-numbered years and revise them if necessary. Any revised guidelines must be presented at public hearings to gather input from local communities. The law also requires that all cases involving police use of force be posted on a public website, with detailed information provided in accordance with public records laws to enhance transparency.
Assemblywoman Park, who sponsored the bill, said, “Victoria Lee’s death left a deep wound in our community,” adding that as chair of the judiciary committee, her goal is to make New Jersey safer for everyone regardless of race, religion, or gender.
On the same day, various firearm safety bills introduced by Assemblywoman Park were also signed into law by the governor.
