ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A state lawmaker from North Jersey is pitching a package of bills that she says will beef up protections for domestic violence victims.
New Jersey Assemblywoman Shanique Speight recently introduced seven proposed laws in the halls of Trenton.
Speight pointed to the death of Tomeka Kamwani in March as a tragic reminder of the need for change. The family of Kamwani, a 41-year-old Gloucester County resident and mother of four, says she was fatally shot by her ex-fiance, who then took his own life.
“In recent months, fatal domestic violence incidents across the country have highlighted the alarming rise in femicides and reinforced the urgent need for action,” said Speight, a Democrat from the 29th district, which includes East Newark, Harrison and Newark.
According to Speight, some of the legislative package seeks to strengthen coordination and transparency across state agencies:
A5400 would establish a High-Risk Domestic Violence Response Program and require certain training for law enforcement officers. The legislation would create rapid-response teams in each county to provide a rapid, coordinated response by law enforcement and social services professionals to incidents of domestic violence involving a victim at elevated risk of serious bodily injury or death.
A5403 would establish a Domestic Violence Housing Voucher Program to be administered by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Through this program, DCA would assist victims of domestic violence by providing housing vouchers and providing housing navigation to assist them with stable housing.
A5398 would allow for faster access to essential information that could keep victims safe by requiring the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to provide law enforcement agencies with immediate electronic access to the domestic violence central registry. Under current law, the AOC is required to maintain a central registry of all people who have had domestic violence restraining orders entered against them, but all records maintained pursuant to the registry are to be kept confidential.
Other bills in the package would enhance the state’s court system, accountability measures and victims’ support services, she said:
A5401 would require hospitals to establish domestic violence screening and bystander intervention training programs for health care professionals and certain hospital staff members. It would also direct the Commissioner of Health to periodically assess the training programs and update the information.
A5399 would codify the establishment of the Victim Information and Notification Everyday System and expand notification requirements for certain victims of domestic violence.
A5402 would establish an Integrated Domestic Violence Court in all Superior Court vicinages Statewide to combine domestic violence cases, matrimonial cases, and related criminal matters into one court and provide integrated services to families, enhance offender accountability, and improve victim safety.
A5414 would increase the penalty for domestic violence offenses and put the penalties collected into the Domestic Violence Victims’ Fund to be used for direct services to victims of domestic violence. This would include, but not be limited to, shelter services, legal advocacy services, and legal assistance services. The bill would also increase domestic violence-related unpaid employment leave to ensure the victims are able to seek medical attention, obtain assistance from victim services organizations, obtain counseling, relocate or otherwise engage in safety planning, seek legal assistance, and attend court proceedings without jeopardizing their job.
“While New Jersey continues to invest in initiatives that seek to support victims and strengthen systems, there is still more work to do to ensure every resident has access to the resources and protection they need to live safely,” she said.
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