TRENTON, N.J. – The Assembly on Thursday advanced a bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis, allowing victims of stalking or cyber-harassment to get protective orders when the offender is a stranger. The assemblywoman says it rightly expands the scope of victims who can receive protective orders without a criminal...
TRENTON, N.J. – The Assembly Judiciary and Law and Public Safety committees held a joint hearing Thursday to consider 10 bills related to domestic violence. Judiciary committee members Assemblyman Robert Auth (R-Bergen) and Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn (R-Monmouth) voted to advance the legislation and responded to the compelling and courageous...
TRENTON, N.J. – Protective orders in New Jersey could soon be issued to victims of stalking or cyber-harassment perpetrated by strangers under legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis and cleared by the Assembly Judiciary Committee Thursday. The assemblywoman says it closes a loophole in current law that limits restraining...
TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblyman Robert Auth is pushing his bill prioritizing gun permits for domestic violence victims following Monday’s Assembly Judiciary Committee that considered measures to enhance survivor safety. “The panel’s testimony focused on strengthening victim safety and that really resonated with me. There is an inability for government...
TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz’ bills improving the justice system’s approach to domestic violence training were signed into law on Tuesday. The bills, which stem from a 2015 Supreme Court ad hoc committee on domestic violence report, establishes mandatory domestic violence training for new municipal prosecutors (A1763/S386), and...
TRENTON, N.J. – The Assembly on Monday passed a bill expanding training for judges, law enforcement officers and assistant county prosecutors on the handling of domestic violence cases. The bill is based on recommendations from a report issued by the 2015 Supreme Court Ad Hoc Committee on Domestic Violence...
TRENTON, N.J. – Recommendations stemming from a 2015 Supreme Court Ad Hoc Committee on Domestic Violence, and sponsored by committee member Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz, were cleared by the Assembly Judiciary Committee Monday. The bills reform how New Jersey’s justice system approaches domestic violence training. The first piece of legislation...
TRENTON, N.J. – By unanimous vote, the Assembly passed Assemblywoman Aura Dunn’s bill increasing penalties for domestic abusers who strangle their partners. Currently a third-degree crime, the bill (A4588/S2503) makes strangulation a second-degree crime in domestic violence cases. Prison time would double to up to 10 years from five...
TRENTON, N.J. – Domestic abusers who strangle their partners would face longer prison sentences and increased fines under a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and released by the Assembly Judiciary Committee today. Strangulation is one of the strongest predictors for the subsequent homicide of domestic violence victims according...
TRENTON, N.J. – Stable housing for the homeless, including those fleeing domestic violence situations, has remained unattainable for far too many. The issue has only been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, says Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and advocates. Hotel shelter programs set up in cities across America with funding from...