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Bill

MD

Bill

A 5426

Requires State domestic violence public awareness campaign to add information on coercive control; requires annual reporting on activities of campaign and expands range of languages.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mitchelle Drulis and 4 co-sponsors

New Jersey law expands domestic violence awareness campaigns to include coercive control information in multiple languages with mandatory annual reporting on activities.

Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
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Bill Summary · A 5426

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 5426 mandates that New Jersey's existing domestic violence public awareness campaign incorporate information about coercive control as a form of abuse. The bill also requires annual reporting on campaign activities and expands the languages in which campaign materials are distributed to reach non-English speaking populations.

Why is this important

Coercive control—a pattern of behavior that limits someone's autonomy through intimidation, isolation, or economic control—is increasingly recognized by domestic violence experts as a critical abuse tactic that may not involve physical violence. Expanding awareness and multilingual outreach can help victims recognize abuse patterns earlier and connect with resources, potentially improving intervention outcomes. The annual reporting requirement creates accountability and measurable outcomes for public health spending on domestic violence prevention.

Potential points of contention

  • Defining coercive control: Legal and practical definitions of coercive control vary; unclear messaging could either over-identify minor relationship issues as abuse or fail to capture subtle control tactics
  • Campaign cost and implementation: Expanding language accessibility and adding content requires budget increases; fiscal impact may face resistance if funding sources aren't clearly identified
  • Effectiveness measurement: Annual reporting requirements lack specified metrics, leaving unclear what constitutes success and potentially creating burdensome compliance without meaningful outcome data

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

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