The New Jersey State Bar Association supports S-1516 (Greenstein)/A-3093 (Stanley), which authorizes courts to include in domestic violence restraining orders a provision making the order applicable to a pregnant victim’s child upon birth of the child.
The Association supports this proposed legislation as amended because it provides that a domestic violence restraining order will apply to a pregnant victim’s child upon birth of the child. As amended, it provides an opportunity for the victim to request such relief, which further protects the victim from forced disclosure of a pregnancy. If requested, this will help ensure protection of a victim’s child upon birth, without requiring the victim to have to return to court immediately after the birth of the child for an emergent hearing in order to add the newborn child to the final restraining order. This is an incredibly important measure that ultimately eases the process of receiving protection for domestic violence victims and their immediate families.
For the reasons set forth above, the New Jersey State Bar Association supports S-1516/A-3093 and urges you to vote yes to this proposed legislation.