S 1288 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Concerns "Sexual Violence Restorative Justice Pilot Program."

This bill establishes a three-year "Sexual Violence Restorative Justice Pilot Program" in New Jersey, administered by the Attorney General through the Division of Violence and Victim Assistance. The program offers voluntary, trauma-informed restorative justice services to survivors of sexual violence (including those who haven’t reported to police), allowing them to participate in healing-focused processes like facilitated conferences or sharing circles. Key provisions include strict confidentiality protections for all communications (preventing use in court proceedings unless waived), removal of requirements to serve only specific counties (expanding statewide access), and a requirement for the Attorney General to evaluate the program and recommend next steps after completion. It directly affects survivors and accused individuals who choose to participate, with no mandatory involvement for either party.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action May 18, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 5 edits

MODERATE

The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reported S 1288 with amendments that remove the fixed three-year duration of the Sexual Violence Restorative Justice Pilot Program, replace 'victims' with 'survivors,' narrow the standard for judicial review of privileged communications during in camera hearings, and add an expiration provision tied to the filing of a required report. These changes make the program more flexible in duration while strengthening confidentiality protections.

Scope change

The program's duration is no longer fixed at three years but is tied to available funding, and the act now has a built-in expiration triggered by the filing of a required report. The scope of judicial review of privileged communications is narrowed, strengthening confidentiality protections for participants.

TIMELINE

Removes the fixed 'three-year' duration for the pilot program. The program will now run only 'for a duration for which funding is available,' with no set minimum or maximum term.

Adds an expiration provision: the act shall expire upon the filing of the report required pursuant to subsection c. of section 1 of P.L.2021, c.60. This creates a built-in end date tied to a reporting milestone rather than a fixed calendar period.

DEFINITION

Replaces the term 'victims' with 'survivors' when referring to people who will receive program services throughout the State.

ENFORCEMENT

Narrows what a judge may consider during an in camera hearing on a privilege challenge. Previously the judge could consider privileged information 'to the extent that the information is probative of the issue.' Now the judge may review communications 'solely for the limited purpose of determining whether the privilege applies,' which is a more restrictive standard that better protects confidentiality.

TECHNICAL

Adds a new Section 2 that amends Section 2 of P.L.2021, c.60 (the prior act's effective date provision) and renumbers the original effective date clause as Section 3.

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Committee

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors