Bill
Bill > S4435
summary
Introduced
05/19/2025
05/19/2025
In Committee
05/19/2025
05/19/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to establish a luggage donation program to which a person can donate luggage in order for a child in resource family care to transport the child's personal belongings when the child: (1) enters resource family care; (2) is removed from one resource family home and placed into another; (3) moves to attend college; or (4) ages out of resource family care. As defined in the bill, "child" mean any person 21 years of age or under who has been placed in resource family care by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, and "luggage" means a new or slightly used, durable suitcase, duffle bag, backpack, or similar portable case that is designed to hold a person's clothing and personal articles. The DCF is to contract with community-based, faith-based, and non-profit organizations providing services to children in, or aging out of, resource family care to accept, store, and distribute luggage deemed necessary for a child in resource family care, pursuant to the provisions of the bill, and the contract is to delineate the policies and procedures that will be used to accept, store, and distribute the luggage donated to the program. The luggage accepted, stored, and distributed by the program to children in resource family care is to be clean, in good condition, and the personal belongings of the person donating the luggage must be removed prior to donation. The DCF is to submit an annual report to the Governor and to the Legislature on the effectiveness of providing luggage to children in resource family care through the luggage donation program.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a luggage donation program through the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to help children in resource family care (foster care) transport their personal belongings during significant life transitions. The program allows individuals to donate gently used or new suitcases, backpacks, or similar portable cases to children when they enter foster care, move between foster homes, attend college, or age out of the foster care system. DCF will contract with community-based, faith-based, and non-profit organizations to manage the donation, storage, and distribution of luggage, ensuring that donated items are clean, in good condition, and free of the previous owner's personal items. These organizations can also seek grants to support the program. The bill requires DCF to submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature detailing the program's effectiveness, including the number of children served, the policies for luggage management, and recommendations for improvement. The program aims to provide children in foster care with a sense of dignity and support during often challenging life transitions by giving them a reliable way to carry their personal belongings.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 05/19/2025)
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/S4435 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4500/4435_I1.HTM |
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