This bill establishes new standards for court-ordered counseling programs for domestic violence offenders in New Jersey. It mandates that any counseling program, as ordered by the court, must facilitate offender accountability and include specific components. These components consist of risk assessments that identify domestic violence dynamics and escalating risk factors, educational information on power and control tactics, a protocol for documenting attendance and reporting noncompliance, and regular program reviews by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.

The bill aims to enhance the effectiveness of domestic violence counseling by ensuring that programs are structured to address the complexities of domestic violence and hold offenders accountable. It aligns with the recommendations from the June 2023 report of the Reconvened Joint Committee on Criminal Justice, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive support and oversight in the rehabilitation of domestic violence offenders. The act is set to take effect three months after its enactment.