This bill establishes new standards for domestic violence counseling and creates the Abuse Intervention Program Advisory Committee within the Department of Children and Families (DCF). It amends existing law to require that any court-mandated domestic violence counseling program includes specific components such as risk assessments, collaboration with the courts for offender accountability, education on power dynamics in domestic violence, and protocols for tracking attendance and compliance. The bill also mandates regular reviews of these programs by the New Jersey Advisory Council on Domestic Violence or the DCF, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of domestic violence interventions and improve accountability for offenders.

Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the newly formed Abuse Intervention Program Advisory Committee, which will consist of various stakeholders, including representatives from the courts, mental health professionals, domestic violence advocates, and community leaders. The DCF is tasked with selecting and funding an existing evidence-based Batterers Intervention Program model in consultation with this committee, ensuring the program's implementation through consultation and technical assistance from experts. The DCF is also responsible for developing the necessary infrastructure for the program, including model refinement, training, quality improvement, and evaluation, while providing periodic progress updates to the committee. This initiative aligns with recommendation 18 from the Report of the Supreme Court Ad Hoc Committee on Domestic Violence, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practices in addressing domestic violence.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:25-29