Bill Text: NJ A4861 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires DHS to re-evaluate closures and consider reopening developmental center in Northern NJ.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-12-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Human Services Committee [A4861 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-A4861-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SHAVONDA E. SUMTER
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman GARY S. SCHAER
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman CHARLES MAINOR
District 31 (Hudson)
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Requires DHS to re-evaluate closures and consider reopening developmental center in Northern NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning State developmental centers and supplementing Title 30 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Human Services shall re-evaluate the closing of the North Jersey Developmental Center and the Woodbridge Developmental Center, and consider reopening a developmental center so that there is one State developmental center in the northern region of the State.
b. In considering the reopening of a developmental center, the commissioner shall evaluate, at a minimum, whether:
(1) an individual with a developmental disability, who resides in the northern region of the State and on or after the effective date of this act needs the level of care provided by a State developmental center, is able to reside in an existing State developmental center which is located sufficiently close to a family member or guardian, as appropriate, to facilitate the continuation of the individual's relationship with the family member or guardian;
(2) an individual with a developmental disability, who had resided in North Jersey Developmental Center or Woodbridge Developmental Center and was transferred to another developmental center which is not located close to a family member or guardian, has adjusted to life in the other developmental center, or seeks to return to a developmental center that is located closer to a family member or guardian and would facilitate the individual's relationship with the family member or guardian;
(3) an individual with a developmental disability, who had resided in North Jersey Developmental Center or Woodbridge Developmental Center and was transferred to a community residence for the developmentally disabled, as defined in section 2 of P.L.1977, c.448 (C.30:11B-2), has adjusted to life in the community residence for the developmentally disabled, or seeks to return to a developmental center that is located closer to a family member or guardian and would facilitate the individual's relationship with the family member or guardian; and
(4) the constant level of care that is provided by a developmental center is a more appropriate setting for an individual with a developmental disability who had resided in North Jersey Developmental Center or Woodbridge Developmental Center and was transferred to a community residence for the developmentally disabled.
c. Upon completion of its re-evaluation pursuant to this section, the commissioner shall issue a report of its findings to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to re-evaluate the closing of the North Jersey Developmental Center and the Woodbridge Developmental Center, and consider reopening a developmental center so that there is one State developmental center in the northern region of the State.
In considering the reopening, the commissioner is to evaluate whether: 1) an individual with a developmental disability, who resides in the northern region of the State and needs the level of care provided by a State developmental center, is able to reside in an existing State developmental center which is located sufficiently close to a family member or guardian to facilitate the continuation of the individual's relationship with family or the guardian; 2) an individual, who had resided in North Jersey or Woodbridge Developmental Centers and was transferred to another developmental center which is not located close to a family member or guardian, has adjusted to life in the other developmental center, or seeks to return to a center that is located closer to a family member or guardian and would facilitate the individual's relationship with family or the guardian; 3) an individual, who had resided in North Jersey or Woodbridge Developmental Centers and was transferred to a community residence for the developmentally disabled, such as a group home, has adjusted to life in the community residence, or seeks to return to a developmental center that is located closer to a family member or guardian and would facilitate the individual's relationship with family or the guardian; and 4) the constant level of care provided by a developmental center is a more appropriate setting for an individual who had resided in North Jersey or Woodbridge Developmental Centers and was transferred to a community residence for the developmentally disabled.
The bill requires that upon completion of the re-evaluation, the commissioner is to issue a report of its findings to the Governor and the Legislature.
There had been seven developmental centers located in various counties throughout the State, but North Jersey Developmental Center closed on July 1, 2014 and Woodbridge Developmental Center closed on January 9, 2015. There currently is a State developmental center in Hunterdon, Somerset, Burlington, Cumberland and Cape May counties, with none in the northern region of the State.
