Bill Text: NJ S2554 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires DHS to develop timeline for use by individuals with developmental disabilities to gain benefit of State and federal programs; requires posting timeline on DHS, DCF, and DOE websites.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-10-27 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [S2554 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-S2554-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator LORETTA WEINBERG
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Requires DHS to develop timeline for use by individuals with developmental disabilities to gain benefit of State and federal programs; requires posting timeline on DHS, DCF, and DOE websites.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning individuals with developmental disabilities, supplementing Title 30 of the Revised Statutes and Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes, and amending P.L.2006, c.47.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. (New section) a. The Commissioner of Human Services, or the commissioner's designee, in consultation with the Commissioner of Children and Families, the Commissioner of Community Affairs, the Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, and the Commissioner of Transportation, or their designees, shall develop a timeline that lists activities that an individual with a developmental disability may engage in, at a certain age or range of ages, in order to gain the benefit of a State or federal program or fulfill an obligation, as applicable. The timeline shall be arranged by age, as appropriate, and include information about where to access information about the activity, if applicable.
b. The activities to be included on the timeline developed pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) applying for adult services for individuals with developmental disabilities;
(2) determining if guardianship is necessary and the type of guardianship services appropriate for the individual;
(3) applying for assistance from State or federal housing programs;
(4) applying for benefits from the federal Social Security Administration;
(5) applying for benefits under the "Personal Assistance Services Act," P.L.1987, c.350 (C.30:4G-13 et seq.);
(6) if male, registering with the federal Selective Service System;
(7) applying for financial aid for admission to institutions of higher education;
(8) applying for employment or for assistance with job searches; and
(9) contacting the Department of Transportation to learn about transportation services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
c. The Commissioner of Human Services shall: post the timeline developed pursuant to this section on the official website of the Department of Human Services; share the timeline with the Commissioner of Education and Commissioner of Children and Families; and update the timeline as new information becomes available.
2. (New section) The Commissioner of Education shall post the timeline developed pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) on the official website of the Department of Education.
3. Section 7 of P.L.2006, c.47 (C.9:3A-7) is amended to read as follows:
7. The commissioner, as administrator and chief executive officer of the department, shall:
a. Administer the work of the department;
b. Appoint and remove officers and other personnel employed within the department, subject to the provisions of Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes, Civil Service, and other applicable statutes, except as herein otherwise specifically provided;
c. Appoint such deputy and assistant commissioners, directors and other personnel in the unclassified service as the commissioner deems appropriate to receive such compensation as may be provided by law;
d. Perform, exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of the department through such divisions as may be established by this act or otherwise by law;
e. Organize the work of the department in such divisions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, and in such other organizational units as he may determine to be necessary for efficient and effective operation;
f. Adopt, issue and promulgate, in the name of the department, such rules and regulations as may be authorized by law, consistent with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.);
g. Formulate and adopt rules and regulations for the efficient conduct of the work and general administration of the department, its officers and employees;
h. Institute or cause to be instituted such legal proceedings or processes as may be necessary to enforce and give effect to any of his powers or duties;
i. Make such reports of the department's operation as the Governor or the Legislature shall from time to time request, or as may be required by law;
j. Coordinate the activities of the department, and the several divisions and other agencies therein, in a manner designed to eliminate overlapping and duplicating functions;
k. Integrate within the department, so far as practicable, all staff services of the department and of the several divisions and other agencies therein;
l. Maintain suitable headquarters for the department and such other quarters as are necessary to the proper functioning of the department;
m. Solicit, apply for, and accept on behalf of the State any contributions, donations of money, goods, services, real or personal property or grants from the federal government or any agency thereof, or from any foundation, corporation, association or individual, and comply with the terms, conditions and limitations thereof, for any of the purposes of the department;
n. Enter into contracts and agreements with public and private entities, as may be appropriate to carry out the purposes of the department;
o. Be the request officer for the department within the meaning of such term as defined in P.L.1944, c.112 (C.52:27B-1 et seq.); [and]
p. Perform such other functions as may be prescribed in this act or by any other law ; and
q. Post the timeline developed pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) on the official website of the department.
(cf: P.L.2006, c.47, s.7)
4. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month next following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services, or the commissioner's designee, in consultation with the Commissioner of Children and Families, the Commissioner of Community Affairs, the Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, and the Commissioner of Transportation, or their designees, to develop a timeline that lists activities that an individual with a developmental disability may engage in, at a certain age or range of ages, in order to gain the benefit of a State or federal program or fulfill an obligation, as applicable. The timeline is to be arranged by age and include information about where to access information about the activity. The Commissioners of Human Services, Children and Families, and Education are required to post the timeline on their websites.
Activities to be included on the timeline include, but are not limited to: applying for adult services for individuals with developmental disabilities; determining if guardianship is necessary and the type of guardianship services appropriate for the individual; applying for assistance from State or federal housing programs; applying for benefits from the federal Social Security Administration; applying for benefits under the "Personal Assistance Services Act," P.L.1987, c.350 (C.30:4G-13 et seq.); if male, registering with the federal Selective Service System; applying for financial aid for admission to institutions of higher education; applying for employment or assistance with job searches; and contacting the Department of Transportation to learn about transportation services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
