4. a. There is created an Advisory Council on Domestic Violence which shall consist of 20 members: the Director of the Division on Women in the Department of Children and Families, the Director of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families and the Director of the Division of Family Development in the Department of Human Services, the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Commissioner of the Department of Education, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, the Attorney General, or their designees, and one representative of Legal Services of New Jersey, one former domestic violence shelter resident, one representative of the Police Chiefs Association, one representative of the County Prosecutors Association, one representative of the New Jersey State Nurses Association, one representative of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, one representative of the New Jersey Crime Prevention Officers Association, one representative of the New Jersey Hospital Association, one representative of the Violent Crimes Compensation Board, and four representatives of the New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women to be appointed by the Governor.

b. The advisory council shall:

(1) Monitor the effectiveness of the laws concerning domestic violence and make recommendations for their improvement;

(2) Review proposed legislation governing domestic violence and make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature;

(3) Study the needs, priorities, programs, and policies relating to domestic violence throughout the State; and

(4) Ensure that all service providers and citizens are aware of the needs of and services available to victims of domestic violence and make recommendations for community education and training programs.

c. The advisory council shall periodically advise the Director of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families and the Director of the Division on Women in the Department of Children and Families on its activities, findings, and recommendations.

L.1979, c.337, s.4; amended 1987, c.103; 2005, c.309, s.4; 2006, c.47, s.181; 2012, c.16, s.127.