People with final domestic violence restraining orders could request free cards

New Jersey courts would provide free Hope Cards on request. A card could identify everyone protected by the final domestic violence restraining order. The program would take effect on the first day of the 13th month following enactment.

A person restricted by the order who steals, defaces, alters, or fakes the card would commit fourth-degree criminal contempt, a crime for defying a court order. Cards would not replace court orders and would become invalid when those orders end. People investigating reported domestic violence against a cardholder would have to check the card information against the state's domestic violence registry.

The state would set aside money for courts to run the Hope Card Program. The money would go to New Jersey's court system to carry out the program. The courts' administrative director would certify the initial amount needed, and the state budget director would have to approve it. The funding provisions would take effect on the first day of the 13th month following enactment.