This bill aims to enhance the "Crime Victim's Bill of Rights" by explicitly prohibiting defendants from entering a crime victim's home throughout the criminal justice process, including during investigations or discovery. The bill amends Section 3 of P.L.1985, c.249 (C.52:4B-36) to include a new provision that ensures victims are free from the risk of defendants entering their homes for any purpose. However, it allows for exceptions where a defendant can request a court order to inspect a crime scene that is the victim's home, provided they can demonstrate a reasonable basis for the inspection and the court imposes appropriate restrictions to protect the victim's privacy.

Additionally, the bill removes the previous language that allowed for the defendant's presence in the victim's home under certain circumstances, reinforcing the intent to protect victims from intimidation and harassment. The New Jersey Supreme Court and the State Attorney General are granted the authority to adopt necessary rules and regulations to implement this act, which will take effect 60 days after enactment. The sponsors believe that this legislation is essential to uphold the rights and dignity of crime victims, ensuring their safety and minimizing the inconveniences they face during the criminal justice process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:4B-36