reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-3 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-3 - Custody of children of parents living separately; powers of court

9:2-3. Custody of children of parents living separately; powers of court  9:2-3. When the parents of a minor child live separately, or are about to do so, the Superior Court, in an action brought by either parent, shall have the same power to make judgments or orders concerning care, custody, education and maintenance as concerning a minor child whose parents are divorced. Until the court determines the final custody of the minor child and unless the parties agree otherwise, the court shall determine temporary custody based upon the best interests of the child with due regard to the caretaking arrangement that previously existed. No child shall be taken forcibly or against the will of the parent having custody by the other parent without a court order. If the child has not, at the time of the commencement of the action, reached the age of 16 years, and if it is represented to the court by affidavit or under oath that evidence will be adduced involving the moral turpitude of either parent, or of the minor child, or that evidence will be adduced which may reflect upon the good reputation or social standing of the child, then the court shall admit to the hearing of such case only such persons as are directly interested in the matter then being heard. The records of such proceedings, including all papers filed with the court, shall be withheld from indiscriminate public inspection, but shall be open to inspection by the parents, or their attorneys, and to no other person except by order of the court made for that purpose.  Amended 1948,c.321,ss.3,11; 1953,c.9,s.3; 1990,c.26,s.1.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-4a (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-4a - Best interest of child primary consideration.

9:2-4a Best interest of child primary consideration.  4. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, in any action concerning children undertaken by a State department, agency, commission, authority, court of law, or State or local legislative body, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration. L.2015, c.255, s.4.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-4.1 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-4.1 - Person convicted of sexual assault, custody of, visitation to minor child; denied, exceptions.

9:2-4.1 Person convicted of sexual assault, custody of, visitation to minor child; denied, exceptions.  1. a. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a person convicted of sexual assault under N.J.S.2C:14-2 shall not be awarded the custody of or visitation rights to any minor child, including a minor child who was born as a result of or was the victim of the sexual assault, except upon a showing by clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best interest of the child for custody or visitation rights to be awarded. However, a court that awards such custody or visitation rights to a person convicted of sexual assault under N.J.S.2C:14-2 shall stay enforcement of the order or judgment for at least 10 days in order to permit the appeal of the order or judgment and application for a stay in accordance with the Rules of Court. b. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a person convicted of sexual contact under N.J.S.2C:14-3 or endangering the welfare of a child under N.J.S.2C:24-4 shall not be awarded the custody of or visitation rights to any minor child, except upon a showing by clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best interest of the child for such custody or visitation rights to be awarded. However, a court that awards such custody or visitation rights to a person convicted of sexual contact under N.J.S.2C:14-3 or endangering the welfare of a child under N.J.S.2C:24-4 shall stay enforcement of the order or judgment for at least 10 days in order to permit the appeal of the order or judgment and application for a stay in accordance with the Rules of Court.  c. A denial of custody or visitation under this section shall not by itself terminate the parental rights of the person denied visitation or custody, nor shall it affect the obligation of the person to support the minor child. d. In any proceeding for establishment or enforcement of such an obligation of support the victim shall not be required to appear in the presence of the obligor and the victim's and child's whereabouts shall be kept confidential.  L.1995,c.55,s.1; amended 1999, c.424.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-4.2 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-4.2 - Parental access to children's records.

9:2-4.2 Parental access to children's records.  1. a. Every parent, except as prohibited by federal and State law, shall have access to records and information pertaining to his or her unemancipated child, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, insurance, child care and educational records, whether or not the child resides with the parent, unless that access is found by the court to be not in the best interest of the child or the access is found by the court to be sought for the purpose of causing detriment to the other parent. b. The place of residence of either parent shall not appear on any records or information released pursuant to the provisions of this section. c. A child's parent, guardian or legal custodian may petition the court to have a parent's access to the records limited. If the court, after a hearing, finds that the parent's access to the record is not in the best interest of the child or that the access sought is for the purpose of causing detriment to the other parent, the court may order that access to the records be limited. L.1997,c.406,s.1.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-5 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-5 - Death of parent having custody; reversion of custody to surviving parent; appointment of guardian by superior court; removal

9:2-5. Death of parent having custody; reversion of custody to surviving parent; appointment of guardian by superior court; removal  In case of the death of the parent to whom the care and custody of the minor children shall have been awarded by the Superior Court, or in the case of the death of the parent in whose custody the children actually are, when the parents have been living separate and no award as to the custody of such children has been made, the care and custody of such minor children shall not revert to the surviving parent without an order or judgment of the Superior Court to that effect. The Superior Court shall have the right, in an action brought by a guardian ad litem on behalf of the children, to appoint such friend or other suitable person, guardian of such minor children, and shall have the right to remove such guardian, and to appoint a new guardian or guardians, and to make such judgments and orders, from time to time, as the circumstances of the case and the benefit of the children shall require. Amended by L.1948, c. 321, p. 1297, s. 5; L.1953, c. 9, p. 71, s. 4.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-7 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-7 - Habeas corpus to determine custody of child; access to child

9:2-7. Habeas corpus to determine custody of child; access to child  When any husband and wife shall live in a state of separation without being divorced, and shall have any minor child of the marriage, the Superior Court, upon such child being brought before it upon habeas corpus, shall award the custody of such child and make such order or judgment relating thereto for the access of either parent to such child, at such times and under such circumstances, as it may deem proper. Amended by L.1948, c. 321, p. 1297, s. 6; L.1953, c. 9, p. 71, s. 5.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-7.1 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-7.1 - Visitation rights for grandparents, siblings

9:2-7.1. Visitation rights for grandparents, siblings  1.a. A grandparent or any sibling of a child residing in this State may make application before the Superior Court, in accordance with the Rules of Court, for an order for visitation. It shall be the burden of the applicant to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the granting of visitation is in the best interests of the child.  b. In making a determination on an application filed pursuant to this section, the court shall consider the following factors:  (1) The relationship between the child and the applicant; (2) The relationship between each of the child's parents or the person with whom the child is residing and the applicant;  (3) The time which has elapsed since the child last had contact with the applicant;  (4) The effect that such visitation will have on the relationship between the child and the child's parents or the person with whom the child is residing;  (5) If the parents are divorced or separated, the time sharing arrangement which exists between the parents with regard to the child;  (6) The good faith of the applicant in filing the application;  (7) Any history of physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect by the applicant; and  (8) Any other factor relevant to the best interests of the child.  c. With regard to any application made pursuant to this section, it shall be prima facie evidence that visitation is in the child's best interest if the applicant had, in the past, been a full-time caretaker for the child.  L.1971,c.420,s.1; amended 1973,c.100; 1987,c.363,s.2; 1993,c.161,s.1.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-7.2 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-7.2 - Concealment of child; preliminary hearing as to custody

9:2-7.2. Concealment of child; preliminary hearing as to custody  1. When any husband and wife shall live in a state of separation without being divorced and shall have any minor child or children of the marriage, and when either spouse shall willfully conceal the whereabouts of said child or children, the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part, upon application of the aggrieved parent, shall conduct a preliminary hearing as to the custody of said child or children and shall make such order relating thereto for the access of either parent to such child at such times and under such circumstances as it may deem proper.  L.1974,c.152,s.1; amended 1991,c.91,s.189.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-9 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-9 - Unfit parents and custodians, court action to grant relief

9:2-9. Unfit parents and custodians, court action to grant relief  9:2-9. When the parents of any minor child or the parent or other person having the actual care and custody of any minor child are grossly immoral or unfit to be intrusted with the care and education of such child, or shall neglect to provide the child with proper protection, maintenance and education, or are of such vicious, careless or dissolute habits as to endanger the welfare of the child or make the child a public charge, or likely to become a public charge; or when the parents of any minor child are dead or cannot be found, and there is no other person, legal guardian or agency exercising custody over such child; it shall be lawful for any person interested in the welfare of such child to institute an action in the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part, in the county where such minor child is residing, for the purpose of having the child brought before the court, and for the further relief provided by this chapter. The court may proceed in the action in a summary manner or otherwise.  Amended 1948,c.321,s.7; 1949,c.245,s.1; 1953,c.9,s.6; 1991,c.91,s.190.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-10 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-10 - Order for proper care of child

9:2-10. Order for proper care of child  9:2-10. In an action brought pursuant to R.S.9:2-9, the Superior Court, after an investigation shall have been made by the chief probation officer of the county in which the child may reside, concerning the reputation, character and ability of the plaintiff, or such other person as the court may direct, to properly care for such child, shall make an order or judgment committing the child to the care and custody of such person, who will accept the same, as the court shall for that purpose designate and appoint, until such child shall attain the age of eighteen years, or the further direction of the court; provided, however, that in proper cases such care and custody may be exercised by supervision of the child in his own home, unless the court shall otherwise order. Such order or judgment may require the giving of a bond by the person to whose care or custody the said child may be committed, with such security and on such conditions as the court shall deem proper.  Amended 1948,c.321,s.8; 1949,c.245,s.2; 1953,c.9,s.7; 1991,c.91,s.191.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-11 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-11 - Commitment of child to child caring society; cost of proceedings; consent to adoption of child; support by relative

9:2-11. Commitment of child to child caring society; cost of proceedings; consent to adoption of child; support by relative  The court before which such proceedings shall be conducted, may, in the same manner but in lieu of committing such child, as in section 9:2-10 of this Title specified, commit such child to the care and custody of any society duly incorporated under the laws of this State for the care of children. In such case the court may, in its discretion, cause the person in whose custody such child was, or the county in which such child may reside, to pay all costs and expenses of such proceedings, and such person or society or institution to whom or to which such child is committed may, upon special authority granted in the order or judgment of commitment, give his or its consent, and such consent will be sufficient, to the legal adoption of such child; provided, however , that the granting of the right to consent to adoption shall in no wise be construed as authority to place a child for adoption except in accordance with the provisions of chapter three of this Title (s. 9:3-1 et seq.). Whenever the court shall have made an order or judgment with respect to the care and custody of a child as contemplated by this Title, and it shall appear that the person in whose custody such child was is a relative financially able and legally liable to provide support for such child, the court may make a supplementary order requiring such relative to make such payment or payments for the support of such child as the court may deem reasonable under the circumstances. Amended by L.1948, c. 321, p. 1298, s. 9; L.1949, c. 245, p. 786, s. 3; L.1953, c. 9, p. 73, s. 8.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-13 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-13 - Definitions.

9:2-13 Definitions.  1. For the purposes of P.L.1955, c.232 (C.9:2-13 et seq.), the following words and phrases, unless otherwise indicated, shall be deemed to have the following meanings:  (a) The phrase "approved agency" means a legally constituted agency having its principal office within or without this State, which has been approved, pursuant to law, to place children in New Jersey for purposes of adoption.  (b) The word "child" means any person under 18 years of age. (c) The word "custody" means continuing control and authority over the person of a child, established by natural parenthood, by order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, or by written surrender to and approved agency pursuant to law.  (d) The phrase "forsaken parental obligations" means willful and continuous neglect or failure to perform the natural and regular obligations of care and support of a child.  (e) The phrase "mentally incapacitated" means inability to understand and discharge the natural and regular obligations of care and support of a child by reason of mental disease, intellectual disability, or the effects of drug, alcohol, or substance abuse.  (f) The word "parent," when not otherwise described by the context, means a natural parent or parent by previous adoption. (g) The word "may" shall be construed to be permissive and the word "shall" shall be construed to be mandatory. L.1955, c.232, s.1; amended 1990, c.26, s.3; 2013, c.103, s.54.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-14 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-14 - Surrender of child custody; validity

9:2-14. Surrender of child custody; validity  Except as otherwise provided by law or by order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or by testamentary disposition, no surrender of the custody of a child shall be valid in this State unless made to an approved agency pursuant to the provisions of this act or pursuant to the provisions of a substantially similar law of another State or territory of the United States or of the Dominion of Canada or of one of its provinces. L.1955, c. 232, p. 896, s. 2.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-15 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-15 - Surrender or termination of rights of one parent; rights of other parent

9:2-15. Surrender or termination of rights of one parent; rights of other parent  No surrender of custody by, nor termination of the parental rights of, one parent shall affect the rights of the other parent; nor may one parent act as the agent or representative of the other parent in the surrender of custody or termination of parental rights. L.1955, c. 232, p. 896, s. 3.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-16 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-16 - Voluntary surrender to approved agency

9:2-16. Voluntary surrender to approved agency  An approved agency may take a voluntary surrender of custody of a child from the parent of such child, or from such other person or persons who, by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, have been substituted for the parent as to custody of such child. Each such surrender, when properly acknowledged in the manner and form provided by sections 46:14-6 and 46:14-7 of the Revised Statutes, shall be valid whether or not the person giving the same is a minor, and shall be irrevocable except at the discretion of the approved agency taking such surrender or upon order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, setting aside such surrender upon proof of fraud, duress or misrepresentation. L.1955, c. 232, p. 896, s. 4.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-17 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-17 - Form of surrender

9:2-17. Form of surrender  The form of any such surrender shall be such as to declare that the person executing the same desires to relinquish the custody of the child, acknowledge the termination of parental rights as to such custody in favor of the approved agency, and acknowledge full understanding of the effect of such surrender as provided by this act. Any such surrender may include a statement that its purpose is to permit the approved agency to place the child for adoption by such person or persons as the approved agency may select. L.1955, c. 232, p. 896, s. 5.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-18 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-18 - Procedure to terminate parental rights

9:2-18. Procedure to terminate parental rights  6. An approved agency which is providing supervision of a child may institute an action in the Superior Court, seeking the termination of the rights of the parents of such child and the transfer of custody of such child to the agency. A prior surrender of custody as provided by Article II of this act shall not be deemed a waiver of notice or service of process in proceedings under Article III hereof. At least five days prior to the hearing, the plaintiff shall file with the court a written report as to all circumstances of the case.  L.1955,c.232,s.6; amended 1991,c.91,s.192.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-19 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-19 - Grounds for terminating custody.

9:2-19 Grounds for terminating custody.  7. If the court shall determine that custody of the child has been surrendered as provided in Article II of P.L.1955, c.232 (C.9:2-13 et seq.), the court may declare that the person making such surrender shall have no further right to custody of the child. If the court shall determine that a parent of the child is dead, or mentally incapacitated as defined in section 1 of P.L.1955, c.232 C.9:2-13), or has forsaken parental obligation, the court may declare that such parent shall have no further right to custody of the child. If the court shall determine that a custodian or guardian has been appointed for the child, but that such custodian or guardian has willfully and continuously neglected or failed to discharge the responsibilities of such appointment, the court may declare that such custodian or guardian shall have no further control and authority over the person of the child.  L.1955, c.232, s.7; amended 1990, c.26, s.4; 2013, c.103, s.55.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-20 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-20 - Judgment terminating rights; effect of judgment

9:2-20. Judgment terminating rights; effect of judgment  If the court shall find that the parents of the child should have no further right to custody of the child, or that the custodian or guardian, if any, should have no further control and authority over the person of the child, a judgment shall be entered terminating such right or control and authority and transferring the custody of the child to the plaintiff. The judgment so entered, unless otherwise specified therein, shall not affect the duties of the parents, custodian or guardian with respect to support and maintenance of the child. L.1955, c. 232, p. 898, s. 8.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:2-21 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:2-21 - Effective date

9:2-21. Effective date  This act shall take effect July 1, 1955. L.1955, c. 232, p. 898, s. 9.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-37 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-37 - Liberal construction; rights of affected persons.

9:3-37 Liberal construction; rights of affected persons.  1. This act shall be liberally construed to the end that the best interests of children be promoted and that the safety of children be of paramount concern. Due regard shall be given to the rights of all persons affected by an adoption. L.1977,c.367,s.1; amended 1999, c.53, s.1.
NJ Rev Stat § 9:3-39.2 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 9 - Children--Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts|Section 9:3-39.2 - Provision of certain information.

9:3-39.2 Provision of certain information.  7. In the event that the adopted person was under the care and custody of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families at the time of the person's adoption, the director of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency shall provide, upon request by an authorized requester, a statement providing summaries of the medical and social characteristics of birth family members, family health histories, the facts and circumstances related to adoptive placement, and summaries of case record material. The director shall not release case records in response to such a request. L.2014, c.9, s.7.