Concerns stalking and related restraining order protections for adoptive children and their adoptive parents victimized by persons whose parental rights to the adoptive children have been terminated.

New Jersey Assembly Bill A947 amends stalking laws to specifically protect adoptive parents and children from unwanted contact by individuals whose parental rights to the child have been terminated. The bill defines "course of conduct" to include repeated contact with an adoptive child by a terminated parent contrary to the adoptive parent's instructions, making such behavior a stalking violation. Courts can now order restraining orders prohibiting all contact (including electronic communication), restricting the terminated parent from the adoptive parent's residence or workplace, and requiring monetary compensation for harm caused. These protections apply when the terminated parent commits acts like assault, harassment, or stalking against the adoptive family, with violations treated as criminal contempt.