This bill amends the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991 to provide enhanced protections for elderly victims of domestic violence, specifically targeting individuals aged 65 and older who may have physical disabilities or impaired mobility. Key provisions include allowing these individuals to electronically file complaints and attend hearings remotely, thereby reducing barriers to accessing justice. The bill also mandates that courts consider requests for investigations into potential risks to children in custody cases involving domestic violence and outlines various protective orders that can be issued, such as monetary compensation and restrictions on contact.

Additionally, the legislation establishes an elder financial exploitation prevention unit within the Office of the Attorney General. This unit is responsible for identifying best practices for financial institutions to prevent elder financial exploitation, training staff, and providing public education on warning signs and prevention strategies. Financial institutions will be required to implement mandatory training programs for their management and staff to ensure they can effectively detect and respond to potential exploitation of elderly account holders. Overall, the bill aims to improve the legal framework surrounding domestic violence and financial abuse for vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:25-28, 2C:25-29