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 program allows individuals protected by a restraining order to request a Hope Card at no cost, which will include details such as the court of issuance, date, case number, defendant's information, terms of the restraining order, and the names of all protected persons. The Administrative Office of the Courts is tasked with developing and implementing the program, ensuring that the card is issued promptly, and creating methods for requesting the card both online and in person.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the confidentiality of the information on the Hope Card, allowing the cardholder to disclose the information for lawful purposes related to domestic violence services or enforcement of the restraining order. It also stipulates that theft, defacement, or alteration of a Hope Card by the defendant is considered a contempt of court in the fourth degree. The bill mandates training for law enforcement and court personnel on the program's implementation and includes an annual appropriation from the General Fund to support the program's operation. The Hope Card Program is modeled after similar initiatives in several other states.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:25-34