The New Jersey Senate today unanimously approved Unchained’s bill, which helps domestic violence survivors and all crime victims.
The New Jersey Assembly already approved the bill in May, so the measure now heads to the governor’s desk. The governor has 45 days to sign it into law — and you can help make that happen. Details below.
About the Bill
Domestic violence survivors in New Jersey who ask a judge for a final restraining order typically need to prove they have been subjected to a pattern of abuse that is likely to recur. The best way for them to prove that pattern is to show copies of the prior temporary restraining orders they have obtained against their abusers and the accompanying police reports.
However, currently crime victims must pay for their own crime records. This is an unfair and unnecessary burden.
Also, a victim’s request for crime records itself becomes a public record that nearly anyone, including the perpetrator, can access. This obviously can put a victim in additional danger.
Unchained’s bill, S1524/A1676, therefore says that:
- A crime victim no longer needs to pay for her/his own crime records, and
- A crime victim’s request for her/his own records no longer is public.
Click here for details about S1524/A1676.
Your Help Needed
You can help turn this bill into law. Please email Gov. Chris Christie or call him at (609) 292-6000 and urge him to sign it. And if you have not already done so, show your support by signing Unchained’s petition on change.org.
If you want to help get similar legislation passed in another state, contact Unchained.