TRENTON, NJ — Assemblywoman Carol A. Murphy of District 7 (Burlington) has introduced Bill A3731, which aims to establish a four-year pilot program in Ocean County for the electronic monitoring of certain domestic violence offenders. The program, set to be named “Lisa’s Law” in honor of Letizia Zindell of Toms River, a domestic violence victim murdered by her former fiancée, seeks to enhance victim safety and offender accountability.
The bill outlines a comprehensive approach to monitoring offenders, requiring informed consent from victims before implementation. It specifies that electronic monitoring may be ordered by the court after assessing factors such as the severity of harm inflicted, the offender’s prior history of violence, access to weapons, and any mental health or substance abuse issues.
Key features of the proposed legislation include adherence to the “Offender Tracking Systems NIJ Standard 1004.00” for electronic monitoring devices, issued by the National Institute of Justice. This ensures that the devices meet rigorous safety and performance standards.
Financial aspects of the program include a monitoring fee of $250 charged to offenders, which could be waived under extreme financial hardship. This fee, along with other designated funds, would be directed to the newly established “Domestic Violence Victim Notification Fund,” managed by the Attorney General’s office.
Additional provisions of the bill make tampering with electronic monitoring devices a third-degree crime, punishable by three to five years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. The bill also mandates comprehensive victim briefing on the monitoring process, potential risks, and available support services.
Civil penalties are introduced for acts of domestic violence, with a potential waiver in cases of severe financial hardship. The bill also exempts suppliers of electronic monitoring equipment from liability for damages related to the use of their products, barring instances of manufacturing defects.
To facilitate the rapid deployment of this program, the bill modifies the “Local Public Contracts Law” to allow for the negotiation and awarding of necessary services and equipment without the need for public bidding.
An appropriation of $2.5 million from the General Fund is proposed to support the implementation and ongoing costs of the pilot program. Following the program’s conclusion, any unspent funds will revert to the General Fund.
The Attorney General is tasked with submitting annual reports evaluating the effectiveness of the program and making recommendations regarding its potential expansion statewide. Moreover, procedures will be developed to monitor and report on offenders’ compliance 24 hours a day, with law enforcement tasked with investigating any reported noncompliance.