NJ A409

Final restraining orders issued under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act would remain in effect after the plaintiff's death if other persons are listed as protected parties on the order.

Prosecutors would be required to notify all persons listed as protected on a final restraining order when a domestic violence defendant is released from custody, not just the primary victim.

Current New Jersey law allows final restraining orders to be dissolved or modified only upon application to the court with good cause shown; this bill would prohibit dissolution or modification based solely on the plaintiff's death when other protected persons exist.

The bill amends both the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (P.L.1991, c.261) and related notification statutes (P.L.1994, c.137) to extend protections to all persons named in restraining orders.