The New Jersey State Bar Association supports A-3808 (Lopez)/ S-2052 (Turner) which allows a tenant with a temporary or permanent restraining order to change the locks on a residential unit.
The Association supports this proposed legislation because it establishes that a tenant who has obtained a temporary or permanent restraining order from the court may request that the landlord change the locks on the rental unit and is further authorized to change the locks if the landlord does not respond to the request within 48 hours. This is an important measure that will ultimately help protect victims who may remain vulnerable to violence even after protective relief in the form of a restraining order has been provided by the court.
For the reasons set forth above, the New Jersey State Bar Association supports A-3808/ S-2052 and urges you to vote yes to this proposed legislation.