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Bill > S2142
NJ S2142
NJ S2142Requires each State cabinet level department to establish office dedicated to language and disability access.
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires each cabinet level department in the State to establish a division to address potential barriers and gaps in language and disability access in order to support full inclusion and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities who work for, or receive services from, the department. The division administrator and head will be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the division and is to devote his or her entire time to the performance of those duties. The division is to be responsible for the following: developing a language and disability access plan reflecting the principles of full inclusion and equal access for persons with disabilities who work for, or receive services from, the department in which the division is established in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.; implementing and coordinating the use of strategies, identified by the language and disability access plan, for effective communication, including but not limited to, language interpretation, sign language interpretation, and language translation for persons who are blind, low vision, deaf, or hard of hearing, and program accessibility, physical accessibility, and reasonable accommodations and modifications for persons with physical disabilities; and providing an annual report to the commissioner of the department in which the division is established, and the public on the department's progress in removing barriers and gaps in language and disability access for persons with disabilities who work for, or receive services from, the department.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that every cabinet-level department within the State establish a dedicated division focused on improving language and disability access, aiming to ensure full inclusion and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities who are either employed by or receive services from these departments. The head of this division must possess relevant qualifications and dedicate their full time to these responsibilities. The division's core duties include creating a comprehensive plan that aligns with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs receiving federal funding, and then implementing strategies outlined in that plan. These strategies will cover effective communication methods like language and sign language interpretation, as well as translation services for those with visual or hearing impairments, and ensuring program and physical accessibility, along with providing reasonable accommodations and modifications for individuals with physical disabilities. Finally, the division is required to submit an annual report to the department's commissioner and the public, detailing the department's progress in overcoming barriers to language and disability access.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S2142 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2500/2142_I1.HTM |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S2500/2142_I1.HTM |
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