New Jersey A5379: Jillian's Law-concerns certain persons found not competent to stand trial

What the bill says

An Act concerning commitment of certain defendants and amending N.J.S.2C:4-5 and N.J.S.2C:4-6.

From the introduced text, September 10, 2026:

An Act concerning commitment of certain defendants and amending N.J.S.2C:4-5 and N.J.S.2C:4-6. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. N.J.S.2C:4-5 is amended to read as follows: 2C:4-5. Psychiatric or Psychological Examination of Defendant With Respect to Fitness to Proceed. a. Whenever there is reason to doubt the defendant's fitness to proceed, the court may on motion by the prosecutor, the defendant or on its own motion, appoint at least [one] [ADDED: two] qualified [psychiatrist] [ADDED: psychiatrists] or licensed [psychologist] [ADDED: psychologists] to examine and report upon the mental condition of the defendant. The psychiatrist or licensed psychologist so appointed shall be either: (1) From a list agreed to by the court, the prosecutor and the defendant; or (2) Agreed to by the court, prosecutor and defendant. Alternatively, the court may order examination of a defendant for fitness to proceed by the Department of Human Services. The department shall provide or arrange for examination of the defendant at a jail, prison or psychiatric hospital. However, to ensure that a defendant is not unnecessarily hospitalized for the purpose of the examination, a defendant shall not be admitted to a State psychiatric hospital for an examination regarding his fitness to proceed unless a qualified psychiatrist or licensed psychologist designated by the commissioner determines that …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Sean T. Kean (R, 30) · primary sponsor
• Clinton Calabrese (D, 36) · primary sponsor
• Erik K. Simonsen (R, 1)

Latest actions

1. September 10, 2026: INT 1RA REF AJU

Common questions

What is A5379?

A5379 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Jillian's Law-concerns certain persons found not competent to stand trial.

What does A5379 do?

In its own words: An Act concerning commitment of certain defendants and amending N.J.S.2C:4-5 and N.J.S.2C:4-6.

What is the status of A5379?

In committee as of September 10, 2026. Latest action: INT 1RA REF AJU (September 10, 2026).

Who sponsored A5379?

Sean T. Kean (R, 30), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for A5379?

On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A5379