The NJ State Bar Association appreciates the work done by the sponsors on this bill, but as currently drafted, opposes this bill.
The NJSBA previously urged caution before adopting a definition of coercive control that would enumerate a disjunctive list of elements resulting in a more expansive list of acts that would fall under the umbrella of domestic violence than this Legislature contemplated in the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (PDVA).
Family law practitioners see an unfortunate number of unintended consequences from the filing of restraining orders within the context of contentious divorces or custody battles. Expanding the definition to include the specific acts described in this proposed legislation would lead to the utilization of domestic violence applications as a sword and not a shield, and truly trivializes the plight of true victims of domestic violence.
The Association hopes to continue working with the sponsors to eliminate these concerns. For these reasons, the NJSBA respectfully urges you to vote no to this proposed legislation as drafted.