Bill > A5638

Introduced Session

This bill establishes a temporary "Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee" (advisory committee) in the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services (DHS). The purpose of the advisory committee will be to: (1) critically review select cases of adults over the age of 18 with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who were survivors of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have passed away; (2) evaluate government systems' responses to cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who resided in a variety of settings including private homes, congregate settings, and State-funded placement; (3) identify areas for improvement in preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation against adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; explore methods to enhance accountability concerning cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation among State-funded disability services providers; and (4) suggest measures to fortify the reporting and investigatory process concerning cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to improve the investigatory experience for disability services clients and their families. The advisory committee will be composed of 13 members to be appointed by the Commissioner of Human Services, as follows: a licensed physician with experience providing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; a representative from the Bureau of Guardianship Services; a representative from Adult Protective Services; an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability; two family members of an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability; a representative from the Division of Developmental Disabilities; a representative from the Department of Children and Families; a professional with experience in child abuse investigations in New Jersey; a representative from the Office of Program Integrity and Accountability; a representative from a Department of Children and Families-contracted or funded residential provider agency serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who 18 years of age or older; a representative from a Division of Developmental Disabilities-licensed residential provider agency serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are 21 years of age or older; and a representative from Disability Rights New Jersey. The advisory committee will have the duty and responsibility to: (1) develop and implement protocols and procedures that allow the advisory committee to operate in accordance with applicable State and federal laws; (2) identify, and conduct a thorough review of, select cases of deceased adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are survivors of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; (3) collect, analyze, and interpret data and information obtained from the selected cases reviewed under the bill; (4) assess the effectiveness of government systems in responding to, and identifying, instances of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities while receiving services from State-funded or State-licensed agencies, and identify practices that help maintain the health and safety of individuals with disabilities; (5) assess the effectiveness of government systems in responding to and assessing instances of alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and (6) submit the advisory committee's findings and recommendations to the Departments of Human Services and Children and Families. The Department of Human Services may contract with a consultant to support the committee with project management, research, and technical expertise to assist the advisory committee in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities under the bill. The bill authorizes the DHS and the Department of Children and Families to provide confidential client information and records to the advisory committee. The bill establishes certain recordkeeping and confidentiality requirements and protections for the advisory committee, its members, and its activities. No later than 27 months after the effective date of this bill, the Commissioner of Human Services will review the advisory committee's findings and recommendations and prepare and submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature. This report is required to: summarize the advisory committee's findings and recommendations; detail the strengths of current procedures concerning the provision of services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the State; and compare the State's current process for providing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with other states in the country. The bill appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services such sums as are necessary to implement the provisions of the bill. The provisions of the bill will take effect 90 days after the date of enactment, except that the Commissioners of Human Services and Children and Families may take any necessary anticipatory administrative action in advance. This provisions of the bill will expire upon submission of the report required under the bill.

Committee Categories

Shanique Speight (D)*,  Alex Sauickie (R), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 05/08/2025)

Official Document