New Jersey would create county teams to respond to high-risk domestic violence

New Jersey would establish a rapid-response team in each county and reimburse local governments for documented program costs. Each county prosecutor's office would name a coordinator. Teams would coordinate law enforcement and social services professionals. Teams would respond to domestic violence incidents involving a victim at elevated risk of serious injury or death.

The Attorney General would approve a risk assessment tool. Officers would tell victims when a score shows elevated danger and, with consent, connect them to immediate help. The tool would help determine whether a person needs immediate help from a county team or other services, based on risk of serious injury or death from future domestic violence. An officer would assess a person only with reasonable cause to believe the person is a domestic violence victim and the person's consent. The victim's consent is also required to arrange help. Officers would facilitate immediate help when an assessment shows elevated risk and the victim agrees.

The Division of Criminal Justice would add risk assessment and response topics to law enforcement training. The added topics apply to law enforcement officers. The Attorney General would ensure officers attend initial training within 90 days of appointment or transfer and annual in-service training. Training would cover conducting assessments, telling victims when a score shows serious danger, and arranging services with their consent. The act would take effect on the first day of the seventh month after enactment. Initial officer training would be due within 90 days of appointment or transfer, followed by annual training.

The state would set aside $2 million for the program. The money would come from the General Fund and go to the Department of Law and Public Safety to carry out the program.