The proposed bill establishes a four-year pilot program in Ocean County, named Lisa's Law, which focuses on implementing electronic monitoring for certain 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 specifies that courts must consider various factors, such as the severity of harm to the victim and the defendant's history of violence, when deciding on the imposition of electronic monitoring. Additionally, it requires that the monitoring devices meet national standards and permits courts to impose costs on defendants based on their financial capability.

Furthermore, the legislation introduces a Domestic Violence Victim Notification Fund, which will be financed through fees and civil penalties imposed on offenders to cover the costs of the electronic monitoring program. It establishes penalties for tampering with monitoring devices and mandates that victims receive information regarding their rights and the monitoring process. The bill also amends the Local Public Contracts Law to facilitate the procurement of necessary services and equipment for the pilot program without public bidding, appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund for its support, and requires annual evaluations by the Attorney General. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the safety of domestic violence victims while ensuring accountability for offenders through monitoring and financial penalties.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40A:11-5