This bill establishes the Hope Card Program in New Jersey, aimed at providing victims of domestic violence with a quick reference wallet card that contains essential information about their final restraining orders. The card, issued at no cost to the victim, will include details such as the court of issuance, date, case number, defendant's identifying information, terms of the restraining order, and the names of all protected individuals. The Administrative Office of the Courts is tasked with developing and implementing the program, ensuring that the card is available through both online and printed methods. Law enforcement officers will be required to verify the information on the Hope Card with the state's domestic violence central registry during investigations.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for training law enforcement and court personnel on the program's implementation and establishes penalties for theft, defacement, or alteration of a Hope Card, classifying such actions as contempt of court in the fourth degree. The bill also appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund to support the program's implementation. The Hope Card Program is modeled after similar initiatives in several other states, aiming to enhance the safety and accessibility of information for domestic violence victims.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:25-34