This bill amends existing law to impose civil monetary penalties specifically for frivolous litigation in domestic violence cases. It expands the criteria for determining whether a party's litigation is considered frivolous by allowing the court to consider if the litigation was part of a pattern of coercive control against a victim of domestic violence. This includes actions such as making baseless reports to authorities as a means of harassment. The bill acknowledges that such retaliatory litigation can exacerbate the abuse experienced by victims of domestic violence.

Under the new provisions, if a court finds that a party has engaged in frivolous litigation in a domestic violence case, it will impose escalating civil penalties of $5,000 for the first instance, $10,000 for the second, and $15,000 for any subsequent instances. These penalties are in addition to any other relief that may be awarded and will be directed to the Domestic Violence Victims Fund. This legislative change aims to deter the misuse of the legal system in domestic violence situations and provide additional support for victims.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:15-59.1