The proposed bill establishes a four-year pilot program in Ocean County, named Lisa's Law, to implement electronic monitoring for certain domestic violence offenders, specifically those convicted of contempt of domestic violence orders. The program requires informed consent from victims and will be overseen by the Attorney General and the State Parole Board. Courts will evaluate the appropriateness of electronic monitoring based on factors such as the severity of harm to the victim and the defendant's history of violence and mental health issues. The bill mandates compliance with national standards for electronic monitoring devices and allows courts to impose costs on defendants according to their financial capability.

Additionally, the legislation introduces a Domestic Violence Victim Notification Fund, funded by fees and civil penalties imposed on offenders, to cover the costs associated with the electronic monitoring program. It amends existing law to facilitate the procurement of necessary services and equipment without public bidding and appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund to support the initiative. The bill also establishes civil penalties for tampering with monitoring devices and provides protections for suppliers of electronic monitoring products from liability, except in cases of manufacturing defects. Overall, the program aims to enhance the safety of domestic violence victims while ensuring accountability for offenders.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40A:11-5