This bill amends the New Jersey Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (PDVA) to ensure that final restraining orders remain in effect after the death of the plaintiff, provided that there are additional protected individuals listed on the order. Currently, these orders are permanent and do not automatically expire upon the death of the recipient. The legislation clarifies that the protection extends to other designated individuals, thereby enhancing their safety and legal standing.

Furthermore, the bill requires prosecutors to notify all protected persons listed on a final restraining order when a defendant is released from custody, addressing a gap in existing law that only mandates notification for the primary victim. It also establishes that modifications or dissolutions of final restraining orders can only be conducted by the original issuing judge or a judge with access to the complete case record. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the necessity of searching the domestic violence central registry before issuing any orders, aiming to strengthen the legal protections for individuals affected by domestic violence.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:25-26.1, 2C:25-29