Bill > S1825

Introduced Session

This bill establishes an 11-member task force to study and make recommendations concerning mobility and support services needs of New Jersey adults with autism spectrum disorder. The task force will be comprised of: the Commissioner of Education or a designee; the Commissioner of Children and Families or a designee; the Commissioner of Health or a designee; the Commissioner of Human Services or a designee; the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development or a designee; the Commissioner of Transportation or a designee; the Secretary of Higher Education or a designee; four members of the public, including a researcher affiliated with the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey appointed by the Senate President, a representative of an organization dedicated to the advancement of autism spectrum disorder research, understanding, and treatment appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, a representative of an organization that advocates on behalf of families affected by autism spectrum disorder appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and a New Jersey adult resident with autism spectrum disorder appointed by the Senate President. The task force is required to hold at least three public hearings concerning barriers and obstacles adults with autism spectrum disorder face in their use of the State's transportation infrastructure and system and the need for autism spectrum disorder related educational and employment support services. Under the bill, the duties of the task force include, but are not limited to: · reviewing State policies as they relate to transportation services and autism spectrum disorder related educational and employment services provided to adults with autism spectrum disorder; · reviewing and evaluating research and literature regarding alleviating transportation barriers and obstacles for adults with autism spectrum disorder and increasing access and availability of autism spectrum disorder related education and employment support services; · consulting with and evaluating testimony from groups, organizations, entities, and other institutions that care for adults with autism spectrum disorder or provide services to families affected by autism spectrum disorder; · developing and issuing recommendations to alleviate current and emerging barriers and obstacles to the satisfactory use by adults with autism spectrum disorder of the State's transportation infrastructure and system and to provide for increased access and availability to autism spectrum disorder related education and employment support services; · developing a ranking of the recommendations and evaluating implementation factors for each recommendation, including, but not limited to, the importance to the autism community, cost of implementation, and feasibility of implementation; and · soliciting and receiving grants and other funds that are made available for the task force's purpose. The task force is required to issue a report to the Governor and the Legislature within one year of its organization, which contains findings and recommendations concerning mobility and support services needs of New Jersey adults with autism spectrum disorder. The report is to rank each of the recommendations. The task force is to expire upon submission of the report.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Daniel Benson (D)*,  Marlene Caride (D)*,  Nicholas Chiaravalloti (D)*,  Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D)*,  Robert Gordon (D)*,  Lou Greenwald (D)*,  Pam Lampitt (D)*,  Paul Sarlo (D)*,  Jennifer Beck (R),  John McKeon (D),  Nancy Pinkin (D),  Teresa Ruiz (D),  Holly Schepisi (R),  Brian Stack (D),  John Wisniewski (D), 

Approved P.L.2017, c.53. (on 05/01/2017)