The proposed legislation, known as Lisa's Law, establishes a four-year pilot program in Ocean County aimed at 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 outlines specific 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 standards set by the National Institute of Justice and permits courts to impose costs on defendants, including a $250 monitoring fee that will contribute to the Domestic Violence Victim Notification Fund.

Additionally, the bill amends the Local Public Contracts Law to facilitate the negotiation and award of necessary services and equipment for the pilot program without the need for public bidding. It allocates $2.5 million from the General Fund to support the Domestic Violence Victim Notification Fund and stipulates that any unspent funds after the pilot's conclusion will revert to the General Fund. The Attorney General is responsible for evaluating the program and providing annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, while also developing compliance monitoring procedures. The legislation includes civil penalties for domestic violence offenders and limits liability for suppliers of electronic monitoring products, aiming to enhance the safety of domestic violence victims through improved monitoring and notification systems.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40A:11-5