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Bill > A4217
NJ A4217
NJ A4217Clarifies that "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991" covers elder abuse in domestic settings.
summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill clarifies that the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17 et al.), covers various forms of physical and non-physical elder abuse in domestic settings. Although the existing findings and declarations to the act reference the Legislature's intention of addressing elder abuse (and abuse against disabled persons) "on an equal basis as violence against spouses and children," the bill updates the findings and declarations to expressly reference elder abuse by current or former household members in its many possible forms; that is, all such "emotional, psychological, and physical [domestic] violence" against the elderly. It also updates the existing definition of "victim of domestic violence" under the act, which currently covers "any person who is 18 years of age or older," to expressly include a reference to an elderly person in a domestic setting, who is not otherwise protected pursuant to P.L.1977, c.239 (C.52:27G-1 et seq.) as an institutionalized elderly person in a public or private facility or institution.
AI Summary
This bill clarifies that the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991" (P.L.1991, c.261) explicitly covers various forms of emotional, psychological, and physical abuse against elderly individuals in domestic settings, even if they are not institutionalized and thus not covered by a separate law (P.L.1977, c.239). It updates the law's findings and declarations to specifically mention elder abuse by current or former household members and amends the definition of "victim of domestic violence" to expressly include elderly persons in domestic settings who are not otherwise protected by the aforementioned institutionalized elder law.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 02/19/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A4217 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4500/4217_I1.HTM |
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