A 508 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Provides parties offering public remarks before Senate committees concerning qualifications of Superior Court judge nominees, upon motion, change of venue on family actions, to vicinage other than vicinage where nominee is assigned if confirmed.

This bill (A 508) allows parties in existing family court cases (like custody or domestic disputes) to request a venue change to a different judicial district if they publicly comment on a Superior Court judge nominee's qualifications during a Senate committee hearing. Specifically, if a party makes oral remarks about the nominee's character or qualifications at such a hearing, they may file a motion to move their case to another district - avoiding the one where the nominee would serve if confirmed. The court must consider all parties' interests and grant the change only if there's a "substantial doubt" about fair treatment in the original venue due to the public remarks. The policy applies to nominations reviewed by the Senate after the bill's effective date.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jan 13, 2026
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Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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Legislator
Party
State
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P
Photo of Bob Auth
Bob Auth
RRepublican
NJ
39