This bill changes the process for denying firearm permits in New Jersey. It requires the chief of police or State Police superintendent to prove an applicant meets one of the disqualification reasons (like a criminal conviction or domestic violence offense) if their permit to purchase a handgun or firearms purchaser ID card is denied. Previously, applicants may have had to prove they didn't qualify for denial. The bill does not change the list of disqualifying conditions but shifts the burden of proof to the issuing authority. This directly affects individuals whose applications are rejected for firearm permits or ID cards.
This bill (A 3349) amends New Jersey law to explicitly include "emergency, transitional, and permanent housing" as a funded service for domestic violence victims through the existing "Domestic Violence Victims' Fund." The Fund, managed by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, is financed by civil penalties ($50-$500) from domestic violence convictions and other designated moneys. It directly affects victims of domestic violence by ensuring these housing needs are covered alongside existing services like shelter, food, utilities, and legal assistance. The change clarifies that housing must be funded from this dedicated account, not other general funds.
This bill requires courts to mandate domestic violence counseling for offenders convicted of domestic violence crimes or placed on probation/sentence suspension for such offenses. It applies directly to defendants found guilty of domestic violence, replacing the previous discretionary court option with a mandatory requirement. The law specifies that counseling must be provided by experts in domestic violence and requires defendants to submit proof of attendance. Additionally, completing this counseling becomes a condition for dissolving restraining orders.
This New Jersey bill (A 2784) requires courts to consider the results of a domestic violence assessment before dissolving protective orders in cases where a defendant has two or more such orders. It directly affects defendants seeking to end multiple domestic violence restraining orders and the courts handling those requests. The key mechanism mandates that defendants with two or more orders undergo a court-ordered domestic violence assessment (at their own cost), and the court must weigh the assessment findings alongside other factors like victim safety and the defendant’s history. The bill updates existing procedures to ensure courts have additional evidence about the defendant’s risk before ending protective measures.
This bill requires that when a petition for a temporary extreme risk protective order (which can temporarily remove firearms from someone posing a danger) is filed against a law enforcement officer, the officer's employer must immediately forward the petition to the county prosecutor. The county prosecutor must then initiate an internal affairs investigation into the officer's conduct. This applies only to petitions filed under this specific law involving law enforcement officers, not to general internal affairs cases. It does not alter the standard process for these petitions or other types of investigations.
This bill (A 2530) creates a civil lawsuit option for victims of stalking in New Jersey. It allows individuals who experienced stalking (defined as conduct causing reasonable fear for personal safety or a minor child's safety) to sue stalkers in civil court, even if no criminal charges were filed. Victims may seek compensatory damages for losses, punitive damages to punish the stalker, and recovery of attorney fees and costs. The lawsuit must be filed within two years of the last stalking incident, aligning with New Jersey's personal injury statute of limitations.
This bill requires New Jersey's State Police to notify local law enforcement when a background check reveals someone is prohibited from buying firearms or ammunition. Specifically, if a background check shows a person has a criminal record, domestic violence conviction, or other disqualifying history (as defined in N.J.S. 2C:39-7), the State Police must inform the local chief law enforcement officer. Retail gun dealers must run these background checks and submit results to the State Police, who then trigger the local notification. The law applies to all firearm and ammunition purchases requiring a background check, directly affecting dealers, State Police, and local police departments.
This bill requires New Jersey courts to mandate professional domestic violence counseling for offenders convicted of domestic violence crimes who are subject to court-ordered restrictions on contact with victims, family members, or pets. It applies to individuals sentenced with conditions restricting their contact with protected parties, including those placed on probation or having sentences suspended. The court must order offenders to complete counseling with a licensed mental health professional and provide documentation of attendance, and the offender cannot have their protection order lifted until counseling is completed. This policy change directly affects domestic violence offenders in New Jersey court cases involving contact restrictions.
This bill protects tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking from housing discrimination. Landlords cannot evict, refuse to renew, or deny rentals based on a tenant’s victim status. To qualify, tenants must provide documentation like restraining orders, law enforcement records, medical reports, or certifications from domestic violence specialists. Violating this law could lead to civil lawsuits where victims recover damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The bill amends New Jersey's eviction statutes to explicitly prohibit housing decisions based on victim status.
Bill A 2961 amends New Jersey's sentencing law (N.J.S. 2C:44-1) to add a new aggravating factor for sentencing. It requires judges to consider an additional factor when sentencing individuals convicted of domestic violence against a minor who is already defined as a domestic violence victim under existing law (specifically, minors meeting the criteria in P.L.1991, c. 261). This provision directly affects defendants convicted of domestic violence offenses involving such minors, making it a more serious sentencing consideration. The bill does not create new penalties but mandates that courts weigh this specific factor when determining appropriate sentences. The bill was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
