NJ A3374

Mandates professional domestic violence counseling for defendants convicted of domestic violence offenses or placed on probation/suspended sentence for such offenses, changing current law which only permits courts to order counseling at their discretion.

Requires all court-ordered domestic violence counseling to be conducted by a person with demonstrated expertise in individual or group domestic violence counseling.

Prohibits defendants from dissolving restraining orders unless they have completed all required counseling attendance, in addition to other legal requirements.

Requires defendants to provide documentation of counseling attendance to the court.

Applies to offenses occurring on or after the bill's effective date, with the legislation modeled after similar laws in California, North Carolina, and Minnesota.