Bill > S1199

Introduced Session

This bill amends the definition of "victim of domestic violence" in the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-17 et al.), to include as a victim any parent of an adopted child who has been subjected to domestic violence by a person whose parental rights towards the adopted child have been terminated. This change would provide an adoptive parent with the statutory protections afforded by the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991," which can include, inter alia, the filing and receipt of temporary and final restraining orders against the perpetrator, forbidding the perpetrator from possessing any firearm or other weapon, and monetary compensation stemming from the perpetrator's act of domestic violence. As set forth in the current law (section 3 of P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-19)), domestic violence includes any of the following offenses: · Homicide N.J.S.2C:11-1 et seq. · Assault N.J.S.2C:12-1 · Terroristic threats N.J.S.2C:12-3 · Kidnapping N.J.S.2C:13-1 · Criminal restraint N.J.S.2C:13-2 · False imprisonment N.J.S.2C:13-3 · Sexual assault N.J.S.2C:14-2 · Criminal sexual contact N.J.S.2C:14-3 · Lewdness N.J.S.2C:14-4 · Criminal mischief N.J.S.2C:17-3 · Burglary N.J.S.2C:18-2 · Criminal trespass N.J.S.2C:18-3 · Harassment N.J.S.2C:33-4 · Stalking P.L.1992, c.209 (C.2C:12-10) Thus, an adoptive parent who was subjected to one or more of these offenses by a person whose parental rights toward the adopted child were terminated could, as established by the bill, receive protections under the "Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991."

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Tom Kean (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 02/08/2016)