Sen. Sandra B. Cunningham

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A-1475, now P.L.2023, c.230) requires courts to consider "coercive control" when deciding domestic violence restraining orders. Coercive control is defined as patterns of behavior that unreasonably interfere with a person’s freedom, including isolating victims from support, depriving them of basics, controlling finances, or using threats (like those based on immigration status). The bill adds this factor to the list courts must evaluate alongside other considerations like past abuse and immediate danger. It directly affects domestic violence victims and courts handling restraining order cases by ensuring non-physical control tactics are formally addressed.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A1181 requires public high school and charter school students (starting with the 2023-2024 grade 11 class) to complete and submit a financial aid application as a graduation prerequisite, unless they qualify for a waiver. Students or their parents/guardians may request exemption via a signed waiver form, or school counselors may authorize exemptions for under-18 students when parental consent cannot be obtained. Schools must provide resources (like webinars and guides) to help students and families complete the application, and must annually notify families of this requirement. The bill ensures no student faces academic penalties for using an approved exemption.