Amends State Constitution to prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude.

SCR16

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 16

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Senator BRIAN P. STACK

District 33 (Hudson)

Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senators Zwicker and Timberlake

SYNOPSIS

���� Amends State Constitution to prohibit slavery or
involuntary servitude.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative
Counsel.

��

A
Concurrent Resolution
proposing to amend
Article I of the New Jersey Constitution by adding a new paragraph.

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate of the State of New
Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

���� 1.��� The following proposed
amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is agreed to:

PROPOSED
AMENDMENT

���� 1.��� Amend Article I by
adding a new paragraph 24 to read as follows:

���� 24.� No person shall be held
in slavery or involuntary servitude in this State, including as a penalty or a
punishment for a crime.

���� 2.��� When this proposed
amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX,
paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the
next general election occurring more than three months after the final
agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of
each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the
General Assembly and the Secretary of State, not less than three months prior
to the general election.

���� 3.��� This proposed amendment
to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the
following manner and form:

���� There shall be printed on each
official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:

���� a.��� In every municipality in
which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede
the question as follows:

���� If you favor the proposition
printed below make a cross (X), plus (+), or check (
a
) in the square opposite the word "Yes." If you are
opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (
a
) in the square opposite the
word "No."

���� b.��� In
every municipality the following question:

CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT TO PROHIBIT SLAVERY AND INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE

YES

��� Do you approve amending the
Constitution to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude?� This would
include involuntary servitude as a penalty for a crime.

��� Involuntary servitude is when
a person is forced to work for another person.

INTERPRETIVE
STATEMENT

NO

��� Currently, the State
Constitution does not prohibit slavery or involuntary servitude.� This
amendment would prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude.� Involuntary
servitude means forcing a person to work against their will for the benefit
of another.

��� Currently, inmates in this
State have to work while in prison.� An inmate is paid a minimal amount for
that work.� This amendment would prohibit forcing an inmate to work as a
penalty for a crime, even if they are paid.� This amendment would not prohibit
inmates from working voluntarily.

STATEMENT

���� This constitutional amendment
prohibits slavery or involuntary servitude in the State of New Jersey,
including as punishment for a crime. �Involuntary servitude is the coerced
service of one individual for the benefit of another.

���� Currently, the State
Constitution does not include any language concerning slavery or involuntary
servitude.� The 1776 and 1844 versions of the Constitution also did not include
any mention of slavery or involuntary servitude.� This amendment adds language
to Article I expressly prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude.�

���� The amendment also directly
prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime.�
Prisoners in New Jersey are required to engage in labor, for a minimal pay,
while they are incarcerated.� The State should not have the power to compel individuals
to labor against their will.� This amendment ensures that no prisoner in this
State would be involuntarily forced into labor, even if the labor performed by
the prisoner would be compensated.� However, this amendment would not take away
voluntary opportunities to work for individuals who have been convicted of a
crime.� The State recognizes that work can assist in an individual�s
rehabilitation, improve practical and interpersonal skills that may be useful
upon their reintegration with society, and contribute to healthier and safer
penal environments.