NJ S3447

Defendants subject to two or more final domestic violence restraining orders must undergo a domestic violence assessment before a court can dissolve the order, with the defendant bearing the costs of the assessment

A domestic violence assessment is defined as an evaluation by a psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or licensed professional counselor to determine the likelihood of future violence, abuse, or threatening behavior

The bill codifies 10 factors courts must consider when determining whether good cause exists to dissolve a final restraining order, including victim consent, victim fear, defendant's contempt convictions, substance abuse history, and participation in counseling

Final orders can only be dissolved or modified by the same judge who entered the order or by a judge with access to the complete hearing record

The Administrative Office of the Courts must develop standards for who may conduct domestic violence assessments, and the act takes effect on the first day of the seventh month after enactment