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A 953

Relates to the termination of certain utility services and to reports on investigatory proceedings relating to gas, electric, and steam service

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Burdick and 20 co-sponsors

Expands domestic violence restraining orders to speed hearings, strengthen protections, and require firearm surrender and enforcement to enhance victim safety.

ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.35
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 953

Summary — A953 (Introduced Jan 9, 2024)

Title on file: "Relates to the termination of certain utility services and to reports on investigatory proceedings relating to gas, electric, and steam service"
Note: the bill text provided amends and supplements P.L.1991, c.261 (domestic violence statute, C.2C:25‑17 et seq.). Because the title and the provided text appear to conflict, this summary focuses on the actual statutory language included in the version supplied (domestic violence amendments). Verify the final enrolled version for any reconciled text.

Status & procedural history

  • Introduced: 2024-01-09 (Assembly Judiciary Committee referral)
  • Subsequent actions (2024–2025): Referred to Corporations, Authorities & Commissions; reported to Codes; amendments and recommitments; reference changed to Ways & Means; reported and referred to Rules; ORDERED TO THIRD READING (Rules Cal.602) on 2025-06-11.
  • Related/companion bills: S3387; S904; prior-session A7537. Multiple sponsors and co-sponsors listed.

Purpose / Intent

To amend and supplement New Jersey’s domestic violence statute (P.L.1991, c.261) to clarify hearing procedures, evidence rules, remedies available in restraining‑order proceedings, and enforcement actions relating to firearms and other protections for victims and children.

Key provisions (from provided text)

  • Hearing timing and procedure

    • A hearing in the Family Part must be held within 10 days of filing a complaint under the statute (unless good cause shown to hold elsewhere). Complaint must be served per Rules of Court.
    • Standard of proof: preponderance of the evidence.
    • Testimony given in the civil domestic‑violence matter generally cannot be used in simultaneous or later criminal proceedings against the defendant (with limited exceptions: domestic‑violence contempt matters and otherwise admissible hearsay where a party is unavailable).

  • Factors the court must consider (non‑exclusive)

    • Prior history of domestic violence, immediate danger, parties’ financial circumstances, victim/child best interests, protection of victim’s safety in custody/parenting decisions, and verifiable protection orders from other jurisdictions.

  • Limits on mediation

    • Issues of whether a violation occurred (including contempt) are not subject to mediation or negotiation.
    • If a temporary or final order is issued, parties cannot be ordered to participate in mediation on custody or parenting‑time issues.

  • Remedies and orders the court may issue

    • Restraining defendant from committing further domestic violence.
    • Exclusive possession of the residence to the plaintiff (without affecting title).
    • Parenting time orders that prioritize safety; may require supervised time, third‑party exchanges, or location away from plaintiff.
    • Court must consider custodial parent requests for agency investigations/evaluations before awarding parenting time; denials must be on the record and non‑arbitrary.
    • Court may suspend parenting time and hold emergency hearings when plaintiff certifies under oath that the defendant’s access threatens the child’s safety.
    • Monetary relief: compensation for direct losses (lost earnings/support, medical/counseling costs, property repair/replacement, moving, attorney’s fees, court costs, pain and suffering) and possible punitive damages; may require reimbursement to Victims of Crime Compensation Office.

  • Firearms and weapons

    • Any restraining order bars the defendant from purchasing, owning, possessing, or controlling firearms and from holding firearms purchaser ID or handgun purchase permits during the order or for two years, whichever is greater.
    • Immediate surrender of firearms/weapons required.
    • Law enforcement shall accompany the defendant (or proceed without) to locations to retrieve firearms and shall take custody of firearms/weapons; if the defendant is prohibited from returning to a location, officers shall seize firearms there.
    • Exceptions for on‑duty law enforcement and members of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard while on duty/traveling to/from duty.

  • Counseling

    • The court may require the defendant to receive professional domestic‑violence counseling (text truncated in provided version; reference made to section 2 of an unspecified law).

Who would be affected

  • Victims/plaintiffs in domestic violence restraining‑order proceedings (expanded protections, expedited hearings, parenting‑time safeguards).
  • Defendants (loss of firearms rights, potential monetary liability, mandatory counseling).
  • Law enforcement (expanded duties to collect/seize firearms and enforce firearm surrender).
  • Courts and child‑welfare/agency personnel (additional investigatory/evaluation requests may be required).

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Bill has advanced to Rules and was ordered to third reading as of 2025-06-11. Further floor action in the Assembly (third reading) or movement to the Senate would be the next steps depending on chamber procedure.
  • Provided text is truncated; confirm full bill text for complete provisions (e.g., counseling details, any additional amendments).

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Strengthens immediate safety measures for victims (rapid hearings; firearm surrender/enforcement).
  • Limits opportunities for mediation in violation/custody disputes where protective orders exist.
  • Increases enforcement responsibilities for police and potential financial exposure for defendants.
  • The confidentiality/evidence provision altering admissibility could affect parallel criminal prosecutions—balanced by stated exceptions.

If you want, I can:
- Retrieve the full/most recent enrolled text to reconcile the title/text mismatch, or
- Produce a one‑page briefing for legislative staff focused on law‑enforcement or family‑court operational impacts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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