This bill amends New Jersey's existing laws on domestic violence, specifically addressing the welfare of children in affected households. It allows courts to mandate counseling for minor children of either party involved in a domestic violence complaint, ensuring their emotional and psychological needs are met. The bill establishes a presumption that custody should be awarded to the victim of domestic violence in appropriate cases, prioritizing the safety and well-being of both the victim and any children involved. Additionally, it requires that the abusive party cover the costs of this counseling and mandates proof of payment to the court, while ensuring that any direct payments to the victim avoid contact with the defendant.

The legislation also introduces procedural updates to better support victims, including informing both parties of available counseling programs upon filing a complaint. It emphasizes the confidentiality of information regarding firearms accessible to the defendant and allows custodial parents who have experienced domestic violence to request evaluations to assess risks to the child before parenting time orders are issued. The bill removes the requirement for these evaluations to be conducted by an appropriate agency, streamlining the process, and reinforces the confidentiality of the victim's and child's whereabouts in related proceedings. Overall, the bill aims to enhance protections for victims of domestic violence and their children within the legal system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:25-28, 2C:25-29