Permits court to order counseling for children in households with domestic violence in appropriate cases; establishes presumption of award of custody to domestic violence victim in appropriate cases.**
This New Jersey bill requires courts to inform victims and abusers about counseling services for children who were physically present during or witnessed domestic violence. It establishes a legal presumption that custody should be awarded to the domestic violence victim (the non-abusive parent) in appropriate cases. Courts can now order counseling for affected children as part of domestic violence protection orders. The bill also expands court authority to require psychological evaluations and other protective measures. These changes aim to better protect children and victims in domestic violence cases by addressing their specific needs.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Oct 2025
General Assembly Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 9, 2024
Last action Oct 20, 2025
Floor votes · General Assembly Jun 30, 2025
How they voted
78–0
Passed
Total votes 78
Jun 30, 2025
D
Democratic50
100% Yea
R
Republican28
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Oct 20, 2025
Committee
Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
upper
Jun 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (80-0-0)
lower
Sep 23, 2024
Committee
Reported out of Assembly Committee with Amendments and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
lower
Jan 9, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
lower
4 primary · 15 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Cody Miller
DDemocratic
P
Mike Inganamort
RRepublican
P
Sterley Stanley
DDemocratic
P
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
DDemocratic
Co
Bill Spearman
DDemocratic
Co
Carmen Morales
DDemocratic
Co
Dan Hutchison
DDemocratic
Co
Dawn Fantasia
RRepublican
Co
Ellen Park
DDemocratic
Co
Garnet Hall
DDemocratic
Co
Jessica Ramirez
DDemocratic
Co
Kevin Egan
DDemocratic
Co
Luanne Peterpaul
DDemocratic
Co
Margie Donlon
DDemocratic
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