New Jersey Assembly Bill A950

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Establishes "Monica's Law" requiring evidence-based risk assessments in certain domestic violence cases.

Impact

The risk assessment results will play a crucial role in a range of legal decisions, from law enforcement's ability to charge a defendant to the court's determination of custody and parenting time. This legislation is poised to standardize procedures and ensure that the courts have adequate information to protect involved parties, particularly children, amidst domestic disputes. The confidentiality of the risk assessment results is a pivotal element, as they will only be shared with authorized agencies and entities involved in domestic violence investigations and proceedings, helping to maintain the victim's privacy.

Summary

Assembly Bill A950, also referred to as 'Monica's Law,' aims to enhance the safety and well-being of children involved in domestic violence cases during custody and parenting time proceedings. The bill mandates that a parenting time questionnaire be developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts in consultation with the Supreme Court Statewide Domestic Violence Working Group. This questionnaire will be employed to collect critical information when a parent expresses concern for a child's safety due to the alleged violent behaviors of the other parent.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding A950 is the balance it strikes between ensuring a victim's safety and the rights of the accused. Critics may argue that additional assessments might unduly prolong parenting time determinations or inadvertently discourage parents from coming forward to file safety concerns. The bill’s requirement for a court to temporarily suspend or restrict parenting time based on the questionnaire’s findings can also lead to disputes, as the accused parent may contest the legitimacy of the accusations, necessitating a careful and judicious approach from the courts to avoid erroneous interpretations and decisions.