After New Jersey enacted precedential legislation protecting babies born to victims of domestic violence, the retired Superior Court judge who heard the case underlying that legislation spoke with the Law Journal about the implications this new law will have on the national landscape.

On Jan. 8, Gov. Phil Murphy signed bill A3093 into law after it unanimously passed both the state Senate and Assembly. The bill authorizes courts to extend restraining orders to include the child of a pregnant victim of domestic violence once that child is born. The bill statement referenced a 2013 case retired Superior Court Judge Lawrence R. Jones presided over, B.C. v. T.G. In it, Jones held that when a victim is pregnant, the court may order that any protections ordered under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991 also cover the child when born.