Governor Mikie Sherill signs Executive Order No. 12 | Photo via Office of the Governor
TRENTON, N.J. — Governor Mikie Sherrill has taken a two‑track approach to public safety and civil rights protections this year, beginning with Executive Order No. 12, signed on February 11, 2026, and followed by the signing of three major public safety and constitutional rights bills on March 25, 2026. While related in purpose, the executive action and the legislative package address distinct areas of state responsibility.
Executive Order No. 12 focuses on security and emergency‑preparedness standards on state property, directing agencies to modernize protocols, coordinate with local law enforcement, and ensure that state facilities remain safe and accessible. “Every New Jerseyan deserves to feel safe in the places where they work, learn, and seek services,” Sherrill said at the February signing. “This order ensures that our state properties meet the highest standards of preparedness and protection.” (Governor’s Office)
Executive Order No. 12: Strengthening Safety on State Property
The order requires all state departments to conduct updated risk assessments of the buildings they manage, including courthouses, administrative offices, and public‑facing service centers. It also directs the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) to issue uniform guidelines for threat monitoring, emergency communication, and coordinated response.
“These updates are not optional — they are essential,” said Laurie Doran, Director of NJOHSP. “Our goal is to ensure that every state facility, regardless of size or function, operates with a consistent and modern security framework.” (NJOHSP press availability)
EO 12 also mandates annual emergency‑preparedness training for state employees and requires agencies to submit compliance reports within 120 days. The order includes provisions limiting ICE access to nonpublic areas of state property without a judicial warrant — a measure Sherrill framed as both a safety and civil‑rights safeguard.
March 25 Legislation: Protecting Constitutional Rights and Due Process
On March 25, Sherrill signed three separate bills aimed at protecting constitutional rights, strengthening due‑process safeguards, and ensuring that New Jersey residents — including immigrants — are treated fairly under state law. The legislation, according to the governor’s press release, is designed to “protect constitutional rights and keep New Jerseyans safe.”
While EO 12 focuses on physical safety and emergency readiness, the March 25 bills address legal protections, including limits on information‑sharing, clearer standards for law‑enforcement interactions, and expanded access to legal resources. “These laws reinforce our commitment to fairness, dignity, and the rule of law,” Sherrill said during the bill‑signing ceremony.
State Senator Raj Mukherji praised the legislation for drawing a clear line between state constitutional rights and federal immigration authority. “New Jersey has an obligation to uphold its own constitutional protections,” he said. “These bills ensure that residents are not deprived of due process simply because of their immigration status.” (Press remarks)
A Coordinated but Distinct Public‑Safety Strategy
Together, the executive order and the legislative package form a broader public‑safety and civil‑rights agenda — but they remain separate actions with different scopes. EO 12 governs state property and emergency protocols, while the March 25 bills codify legal protections and due‑process standards.
“This is about building a safer, fairer New Jersey — not just for today, but for the next generation,” Sherrill said.
