S 1651 requires New Jersey courts to advise domestic violence victims about counseling services for children exposed to violence in their households. It establishes a legal presumption that custody should be awarded to the domestic violence victim in appropriate cases, shifting the default in custody decisions. Key mechanisms include mandating court referrals to counseling services for affected children and requiring judges to consider the victim's safety when making custody rulings. The bill amends existing domestic violence procedures (P.L.1991, c.261) to prioritize victim safety and child well-being without adding new criminal penalties.
This bill proposes a four-year pilot program in Ocean County (or another county designated by the Attorney General) to monitor certain domestic violence offenders using electronic tracking devices. It would require court-ordered electronic monitoring only with the victim's informed consent, applying to offenders convicted of violating domestic violence restraining orders. Key provisions include court evaluations of risk factors (like prior violence or weapon access), mandatory victim notification, a $250 monitoring fee (waivable for financial hardship), and $2.5 million in state funding. The program would mandate compliance with national technology standards and establish procedures for handling device tampering or noncompliance.
New Jersey's S 2433 creates legal protections for domestic violence victims facing abusive lawsuits initiated by their abusers. The bill defines "abusive and controlling litigation" as bad-faith legal actions primarily meant to harass, intimidate, delay, or maintain contact with the victim. Courts can block such lawsuits by finding a person an "abusive and controlling litigant" if they have a history of domestic violence and file repetitive or baseless legal claims. If proven, courts must dismiss the case, award attorney fees, prohibit future lawsuits without court permission, and exempt the victim from responding to such litigation. This directly affects domestic violence victims targeted by abusers using the court system for ongoing control.
This bill creates a new criminal offense for committing domestic violence in the presence of a child under 16 years old, specifically when the perpetrator knows the child is present. It applies to individuals committing acts of domestic violence (like assault or harassment) where the child is a parent, guardian, or resource family parent. The law requires a separate conviction and sentence for this new offense alongside the underlying domestic violence charge, rather than merging the two. This change ensures offenders face distinct legal consequences for exposing children to violence, regardless of whether they're convicted of the original domestic violence act. The severity of the new charge depends on the underlying offense (e.g., fourth degree if the original was a minor offense).
New Jersey's S 978 makes it a fourth-degree crime (carrying up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine) to secretly install or use electronic tracking devices or apps to monitor another person's location with intent to facilitate unlawful acts like stalking or harassment. The bill directly affects individuals who secretly track others without consent, such as in cases of relationship surveillance. Key exemptions include parents tracking minor children, caregivers monitoring vulnerable individuals, businesses disclosing location tracking in privacy policies, and employers tracking work vehicles under specific conditions. The law creates a legal presumption that secret location tracking is intended for unlawful purposes, while excluding government entities and certain business/employer uses.
This bill (S 2622) changes New Jersey's automatic expungement rules for domestic violence arrests that don't result in conviction. Currently, courts must immediately expunge all records in such cases. The bill would grant courts discretion to delay expungement for up to six months if a county prosecutor objects, requiring the court to state its reasons on the record. It directly affects individuals arrested for domestic violence (as defined in N.J.S.2C:25-19) whose cases were dismissed, they were acquitted, or discharged without conviction. The key change is replacing automatic expungement with a court review process in domestic violence cases to prevent potential abuse of the system.
This bill (S 2553) makes it a third-degree crime to enter a domestic violence victim's dwelling when a restraining order is in place against the actor or if the actor has been convicted or charged with a domestic violence offense involving that victim. It creates a legal presumption that the trespasser intended to cause harm or commit a crime in these situations, which was not previously automatic. Violating this provision carries a potential 3-5 year prison sentence, up to $15,000 in fines, or both - removing the usual presumption against incarceration for such offenses. The law directly affects individuals violating domestic violence restraining orders and strengthens protections for victims by treating such trespasses as serious criminal acts. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee after introduction on January 13, 2026.
This bill (S 1859) amends New Jersey's assault statute to upgrade certain assaults to "aggravated assault" when committed against specific professionals. It directly affects individuals like firefighters, school staff (teachers, administrators, bus drivers), healthcare workers, and emergency medical personnel when they are attacked while performing their duties. The key provision adds these groups to the list of protected individuals under aggravated assault, increasing penalties for assaults targeting them. The change applies to attacks occurring during work, whether the attacker recognizes the victim's professional role or not. This is a policy adjustment to strengthen legal protections for public safety and service workers.
This bill (S 2508) allows prosecutors to classify domestic violence or child endangerment offenses one degree higher than the standard charge if committed during a declared national, state, or county emergency. It directly affects individuals accused of these crimes during emergency periods, such as natural disasters or public health crises. The key mechanism is the prosecutor's discretion to elevate the charge level under the existing legal framework (amending P.L.1991, c.261). The bill does not change arrest procedures but modifies how such offenses are formally categorized during emergencies.
This bill requires specialized training for judges, court staff, law enforcement, and prosecutors handling domestic violence and child abuse cases in custody disputes. It mandates 20 hours of initial training and 15 hours every five years for judges and court personnel on topics including domestic violence dynamics, child trauma, racial bias impacts, safety planning, and evidence-based child abuse research. Law enforcement must complete annual training on domestic violence response, while judges handling custody cases receive specific instruction on restraining orders, child custody arrangements, and risk assessment. The training aims to improve how the court system addresses child safety in cases involving domestic violence or abuse. The bill does not change custody laws but focuses on equipping officials with updated knowledge and tools.
