Bill > A3824

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families in but not of the Department of the Treasury and, accordingly, the office is to be independent of any supervision or control by this department or any board or officer thereof, or any other cabinet-level department, board, or officer thereof. Under the provisions of the bill, the Governor would appoint an Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families, who is to be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office, and be a person of recognized judgment, integrity, and objectivity who is skilled in communication, conflict resolution, and professionalism. The ombudsman would organize and direct the work of the office. The duties of the ombudsman would include, but not be limited to, the following: 1) to serve as a source of information for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families and interested members of the public, to help them better understand State and federal laws and regulations governing individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities; 2) to provide, in coordination with the State Council on Developmental Disabilities: information and support to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families in navigating and understanding the process for obtaining services and supports from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) in the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Division of Children's System of Care (CSOC) in the Department of Children and Families (DCF), including information and support for those who transition from receiving services and supports from CSOC to DDD; and assistance in obtaining from CSOC or DDD, as appropriate, services, supports, and opportunities that focus on personal goals and help those goals become a reality; 3) to provide information and communication strategies with regard to resolution of a disagreement with CSOC, DDD, DCF, or DHS regarding the evaluation, placement, or provision of services and supports to an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability; and to educate individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families on the available options for resolving these disputes; 4) to work neutrally and objectively to help ensure that a fair process is followed in the resolution of disputes concerning the provision of supports and services to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities receiving services from CSOC or DDD; 5) to identify patterns of complaints regarding rights and services of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and to recommend strategies for improvements; and 6) to assist CSOC and DDD in creating public information programs designed to acquaint and educate individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, their families, and the public about the duties of the ombudsman. Communications received in the course of the ombudsman's duties are to be kept confidential, except when disclosure is necessary to enable the ombudsman to perform the duties of the office and consent for disclosure is obtained. The bill requires the ombudsman to issue a written report annually to the Commissioner of Human Services and the Commissioner of Children and Families. The report would include a summary of the services the ombudsman provided during the year, and any specific recommendations the ombudsman deems appropriate and necessary concerning the implementation of procedures with respect to providing individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities with services and supports. This report would also be issued to the Governor and the Legislature.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Jamel Holley (D)*,  Tom Kean (R)*,  Pam Lampitt (D)*,  Angela Mcknight (D)*,  Raj Mukherji (D)*,  Brian Stack (D)*,  Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D)*,  Benjie Wimberly (D)*,  Andrew Zwicker (D)*,  Daniel Benson (D),  Anthony Bucco (R),  Craig Coughlin (D),  Reed Gusciora (D),  Mila Jasey (D),  Fred Madden (D),  Vincent Mazzeo (D),  Gabriela Mosquera (D), 

Approved P.L.2017, c.269. (on 01/08/2018)