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Bill

A 1801

"Stephanie's Law"; Requires AOC to establish publicly-accessible domestic violence registry; requires law enforcement officer to search State's domestic violence registries when conducting arrest.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 6 co-sponsors

New Jersey would create a public domestic violence registry and require police to search it during arrests to inform threat assessment and officer safety.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
#domesticvio #judiciary #police
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Bill Summary · A 1801

Legislative bill overview

This bill would require New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to create and maintain a publicly-accessible domestic violence registry and mandate that law enforcement officers search the state's domestic violence registries whenever they conduct an arrest. The registry would compile information about individuals with domestic violence histories to inform police decision-making during arrest situations.

Why is this important

Domestic violence incidents carry heightened risks of escalation and repeat offenses. Giving officers real-time access to domestic violence history during arrests could potentially inform threat assessment, officer safety protocols, and intervention decisions. The public registry aspect aims to increase transparency and potentially allow community members to access information about domestic violence perpetrators in their area.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy concerns: Creating a public registry of domestic violence offenders raises questions about due process, rehabilitation, and permanent stigmatization—particularly for individuals with resolved cases or those not convicted in criminal court
  • Registry scope and accuracy: Unclear what constitutes inclusion (convictions only? restraining orders? allegations?), how data will be verified, and whether individuals can challenge inaccurate entries
  • Implementation burden: Requires coordination across courts, law enforcement agencies, and the AOC; significant costs and potential delays in establishing a functional system
  • Effectiveness uncertainty: Limited evidence that officer knowledge of domestic violence history meaningfully reduces harm, and there are concerns about how officers may use this information in enforcement decisions

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

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