This bill establishes new standards for domestic violence counseling and creates the Abuse Intervention Program Advisory Committee within the Department of Children and Families. It amends existing law to require that any court-mandated domestic violence counseling program includes specific components such as risk assessments, collaboration with the courts for offender accountability, education on power dynamics in domestic violence, and protocols for tracking attendance and compliance. The bill also mandates regular reviews of these programs by the New Jersey Advisory Council on Domestic Violence or the Department of Children and Families, aiming to enhance the accountability and effectiveness of domestic violence interventions in New Jersey. Additionally, the bill outlines the composition and responsibilities of the newly formed advisory committee, which will include representatives from various state departments, domestic violence advocates, mental health professionals, and community leaders. The Department of Children and Families is tasked with selecting and funding an existing evidence-based Batterers Intervention Program model, ensuring its implementation, and providing periodic progress updates to the committee. This legislation aligns with recommendation 18 from the Report of the Supreme Court Ad Hoc Committee on Domestic Violence, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practices in addressing domestic violence.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:25-29