This bill amends the training requirements for county prosecutors and assistant prosecutors handling sexual assault cases in New Jersey. It changes the training frequency from triennial to biennial and expands the curriculum to include components on cultural competency, emotional intelligence, and victim-centered approaches, emphasizing trauma-informed care and the importance of maintaining victim autonomy. The bill also mandates that the Division of Criminal Justice review the training curriculum annually, rather than every five years, and requires prosecutors to complete the training in person every two years instead of every six years.

Additionally, the bill establishes that the Attorney General must implement a compliance evaluation system, including periodic audits of county prosecutors' offices and mechanisms to address noncompliance. It also expands the sexual assault unit within the Division of Criminal Justice to include a rape care advocate, alongside a sexual assault investigator and a certified forensic sexual assault nurse examiner. These changes aim to enhance the handling and investigation of sexual assault cases, ensuring that victims receive appropriate support and that prosecutors are well-equipped to manage these sensitive cases.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:4B-54.2, 52:4B-56