Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

S 2122 establishes a program requiring New Jersey fire stations to serve as safe havens for victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence. Firefighters would receive specific training to refer victims to emergency shelters, legal aid, victim advocacy services, and community resources, while ensuring services are provided without discrimination based on citizenship status. The bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to the Human Trafficking Survivor’s Assistance Fund to implement this program, including firefighter training requirements and victim referral protocols. It directly affects victims of these crimes and firefighters who will facilitate access to critical support services.

This bill requires New Jersey to provide trauma-informed reentry support services to certain defendants who were victims of domestic violence or abuse that contributed to their criminal behavior. It directly affects individuals sentenced under N.J.S.2C:44-1 or eligible for resentencing under pending Senate Bill 4870 (S4870), including access to mental health counseling, peer recovery support, vocational training, and housing assistance. Key mechanisms include creating a Department of Corrections grant program to fund community-based reentry services - prioritizing organizations led by trauma survivors - and mandating collaboration between corrections, courts, and public defense. The bill also requires annual reporting on program outcomes, including recidivism, employment, and housing data for participants. These services are tied to S4870, which establishes resentencing options for abuse victims whose trauma contributed to their crime.