This bill amends the existing Sexual Violence Restorative Justice Pilot Program established by the Attorney General of New Jersey. It allows for the program to be implemented for a duration of three years or any other period for which funding is available. The bill specifies that the Attorney General will utilize the Division of Violence and Victim Assistance to design the program and will enter into an agreement with an organization selected through a request for proposal process, which must demonstrate expertise in trauma-informed care and is not associated with any law enforcement agency. Additionally, the program will now provide services to victims throughout the state rather than being limited to specific counties.

The bill also introduces provisions to ensure confidentiality and privilege for communications and actions related to the restorative justice program. It states that any written or oral communication during the program is confidential and cannot be used in legal proceedings unless the privilege is waived. The bill outlines specific conditions under which the privilege does not apply, such as when disclosure is necessary to prevent serious harm or comply with other laws. Furthermore, it establishes a process for judges to determine the privilege status of interactions in legal challenges, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected while allowing for necessary legal oversight.