The proposed bill establishes a four-year pilot program in Ocean County, named Lisa's Law, which focuses on implementing electronic monitoring for specific domestic violence offenders. This program will be overseen by the Attorney General and the State Parole Board, allowing courts to mandate electronic monitoring for defendants convicted of contempt of domestic violence orders, contingent upon the informed consent of the victim. The bill outlines various factors for the court to consider when determining the appropriateness of electronic monitoring, such as the severity of harm inflicted on the victim and the defendant's history of violence. It also requires that electronic monitoring devices comply with national standards and permits courts to impose costs on defendants based on their financial capability, including a $250 monitoring fee that will contribute to the Domestic Violence Victim Notification Fund.

In addition to establishing the pilot program, the bill amends the Local Public Contracts Law to facilitate the negotiation and award of necessary services and equipment for the program without the need for public bidding. It allocates $2.5 million from the General Fund to support the initiative and mandates the Attorney General to provide annual evaluations of the program to the Governor and Legislature, with recommendations for potential statewide expansion. The legislation also introduces civil penalties for domestic violence offenders and offers liability protection for suppliers of electronic monitoring products, except in cases of manufacturing defects. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the safety of domestic violence victims while ensuring accountability for offenders and providing essential resources for the program's implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40A:11-5