This bill expands the responsibilities of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) in New Jersey by mandating that it provide legal representation to indigent defendants charged with contempt violations related to certain domestic violence orders. Specifically, the OPD will represent defendants charged under N.J.S.A.2C:29-9 for violating orders issued under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991. However, the bill specifies that orders related to parenting time, monetary compensation for victims, professional counseling, and rent or mortgage payments are excluded from this provision, meaning that violations of these types of orders will not qualify for OPD representation.

The bill aims to ensure that indigent defendants facing potential imprisonment or significant consequences due to contempt charges for domestic violence order violations receive legal support. This legislative change aligns with recommendation 29 from the June 2023 report of the Reconvened Joint Committee on Criminal Justice, reflecting a commitment to enhancing legal protections for vulnerable individuals in domestic violence situations. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.