Will antisemitism bill get vote in New Jersey?
By: Deena Yellin
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... A bill to adopt an official definition of antisemitism in New Jersey appears to have widespread support in the state Legislature, with dozens of sponsors signed on from both sides of the aisle.
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But with time running out to vote on the measure in Trenton, the legislation looks to be stalled.
..... In the state Assembly, Passaic County Democrat Gary Schaer and Morris county Republican Michael Inganamort, two of its prime sponsors, declared the bill "dead" in interviews on January 8. [2026] State Senate President Nicholas Scutari, meanwhile, told NorthJersey.com and The Record that the measure has so far not been scheduled for a vote, though he declined to comment on its ultimate chances.
..... The Legislature's lame-duck session will conclude on January 13. [2026]
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Any bills not approved by then must restart the legislative cycle, advancing through multiple committees and hearings before they can receive a final vote.
..... "Monday [01/12/2026] is the last voting session, so unless the bill is posted, it's dead," Inganamort said in an interview Thursday. [01/08/2026]
..... The bill, A3558, would endorse the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's comprehensive description of antisemitism, including hatred and discrimination against Jews, Holocaust denial and certain criticisms of Israel such as claiming that its existence is a "racist endeavor."
..... Supporters say the bill would help law enforcement and other institutions better identify anti-Jewish harassment and violence at a time when reports are sparling in New Jersey and around the world - most recently with last month's [12/2025] deadly shooting spree on an Australian beach.
..... Opponents have pushed back just as fiercely arguing that the IHRA deflection could be used to suppress freedom of speech and there right to critique Israel and its military campaign in Gaza.
..... After eight hours of heated testimony, a state Assembly committee approved the measure in July, [2025] clearing it way for a vote in the full chamber. A companion bill, S1292, passed a state Senate committee in 2024 after two days of debate.
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The bill's apparent demise left supporters frustrated. "There were about 60 cosponsors - that;s three-fourths of the Assembly,," said Inganamort. "And it's been heard in committee and passed unanimously, so let's get on with it. We were elected to make tough decisions, and this is one we should make."
..... Schaer said he was told by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin "that it won't be heard because we don't have the support. We were told many times it was going to work. It's very disheartening to think of all the time that was invested, without any results."
..... A spokesman for Coughlin declined to comment. James Beach, a/ Democratic sponsor of the Senate version, did not respond to messages seeking comment. Democrats control both chambers of the Legislature in New Jersey.
..... Adopting the IHRA definition would make Jewish residents safer, said Schaer, who is also Passaic's City council. If "similar crimes against Jews are committed in Cherry Hill or in Mahwah, law enforcement would recognize them and treat them the same way."
..... "Over 36 countries and 30 states have adopted it. Why is not good enough for New Jersey?" he asked.
..... But Jamie Beran, CEO of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, a progressive group based in New York, said she was "relieved" to hear that the legislation was dead. "Bills enshrine the IHREA definition into law are not effective in fighting antisemitism," she said. "The codification of that definition opens the door to censorship of legitimate political speech, especially criticism of Israeli government policy."
..... During July's [2025] Assembly committee hearing, supporters and critics alike spoke passionately about the bill. Teens, college students and their parents described antisemitic harassment and violence in their towns and schools, hearted that has grown since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people.
..... Al thought Jews account for just 2% of the U.S. population, they were the target of 69% of all religiously motivated hate crimes in the country in 2024, according to FBI statistics. In New Jersey, an audit by the Inman-Defamaiton League,a civil rights group that tracks antisemitic activity, recorded 719 such incidents in the state last year. [2025]
It was the third-highest total of any U.S. state, after New York and California.
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Coughlin, a Democrat, declined to comment about why the bill has languished despite what seems to be widespread support among political leaders.
..... "I hate to be cynical, but we operate in a political environment and opponents have certainly been vocal throughout,: Inganamort said. "I think their criticism are misguided. this should have been a simple and basic thing: It defines antisemitism. It's not stifling speech. That's the last thing we want to do. But your cross a line when you commit a crime."
Jewish, Muslim groups react
..... Selaedin Maksut, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of the council on American-Islamic Relations, said: "Our office has been fighting variations of this definition for over six years. We're glad our legislators have chosen to uphold free speech once again."
..... The Jewish Federation of New Jersey, a coalition of five groups including the Paramus-based Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, said its members were "profoundly disappointed."
..... "The IHRA legislation was intended to provide clarity and guidance - not limit speech - and would have helped law enforcement capture the complex realty of how antisemitism functions in the real world," they said in a statement. "It is critical to remember that this definition would have been used to evaluate motive for criminal conduct, and it is incomprehensible that New Jersey;s Legislature will not allow for the identification of bias and hatred crimes toward a New Jersey Jewish community of over 600,000, instead yielding to baseless opposition
.... Staff Writer Katie Sobko contributed to this article.