Bill > A4990

Introduced Session

This bill addresses the need for location confidentiality of a stalking victim, and the need to strengthen location confidentiality for a person identified as a victim in a domestic violence incident. Although these victim populations can, but do not necessarily overlap, they share a heightened need for strictly maintained location confidentiality. N.J.S.A.2C:12-10.1 provides that in instances where a judgment of conviction for stalking has been entered, a hearing may ensue on the application for a permanent restraining order unless the victim requests otherwise. This bill provides that the judgment shall also operate as an order that the victim's location shall remain confidential and shall not appear on any court documents or records to which the defendant has access. The bill further amends N.J.S.A.2C:25-25, concerning a criminal complaint in a domestic violence case, to provide that the victim's location shall remain confidential and shall not appear on any court documents or records to which the defendant has access. The sponsor has heard of instances where a victim's address changed over the course of a criminal case, and an address that was confidential at the start may appear in subsequent discovery documents.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Nicholas Chiaravalloti (D)*,  JoAnn Downey (D)*,  Reed Gusciora (D)*,  Joe Lagana (D)*,  Eric Houghtaling (D),  Erik Peterson (R), 

Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 06/29/2017)

Official Document