Bill Text: NJ A2721 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Requires Office of Information Technology to establish centralized, one-stop website resource guide to assist persons in navigating the State's developmental disability service system.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-13 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Human Services Committee [A2721 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2020-A2721-Introduced.html

ASSEMBLY, No. 2721

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 13, 2020

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  JOANN DOWNEY

District 11 (Monmouth)

Assemblyman  ERIC HOUGHTALING

District 11 (Monmouth)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires Office of Information Technology to establish centralized, one-stop website resource guide to assist persons in navigating the State's developmental disability service system.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act concerning the establishment of a one-stop website to assist persons in navigating the State's developmental disabilities service system, 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 Office of Information Technology, in consultation with the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Health, the Department of Children and Families, and the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, shall: 

     (1)   establish and maintain a website that is designed to provide a one-stop reference guide for programs and services available to persons with developmental disabilities and their families, in order to assist such persons in navigating the State's developmental disability service system; and

     (2)   publicize the availability of the website established pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, using all available media, including print, signage, television, radio, the Internet, and social media. 

     b.    The website established pursuant to this section shall, at a minimum, provide the following information:

     (1)   a description of, contact information for, the operating hours of, and hyperlinks to the websites of, early development screening centers and providers;

     (2)   a description of, and hyperlinks to, available materials and resources that address, or that provide tools to assess the achievement of, various developmental milestones;

     (3)   a description of, contact information for, the operating hours of, and hyperlinks to, early intervention programs in the State, and a description of early intervention program eligibility and enrollment requirements;

     (4)   a description of the availability and benefits of individualized education planning; a description of, and hyperlinks to, the resources, materials, and supports that are available to assist individuals and families who are interested in participating in individualized education planning; and a description of the supports that are available to assist schools in the development of individualized education planning programs;

     (5)   a description of, and hyperlinks to, resources, materials, and supports that are available to assist in the transition of persons with developmental disabilities to adulthood and post-secondary school living;

     (6)   a description of, and hyperlinks to, the programs and services that are available from the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services, and a description of the criteria that are used to determine eligibility for each such program and service;

     (7)   a description of, and hyperlinks to, the programs and services that are available for persons with developmental disabilities from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and a description of the criteria that are used to determine eligibility for each such program and service;

     (8)   information about available paratransit options and other relevant transportation services that can be utilized by persons with developmental disabilities in the State, including information about any discounts on transportation costs that may be available to such individuals; and

     (9)   information about, and hyperlinks to, community-based housing options that are available to persons with developmental disabilities in the State, including information about existing housing or utility voucher programs.

     c.     A hyperlink to the website established under this section shall be posted in a prominent location on the websites of the Departments of Human Services, Health, and Children and Families, and on the website of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill would require the Office of Information Technology, in consultation with the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Health, the Department of Children and Families, and the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, to establish, maintain, and publicize the availability of, a centralized website that is designed to provide a one-stop reference guide for programs and services available to persons with developmental disabilities and their families, in order to assist such persons in navigating the State's developmental disability service system. 

     The website will be required to provide, at a minimum, the following information:  1) a description of, contact information for, the operating hours of, and hyperlinks to the websites of, early development screening centers and providers; 2) a description of, and hyperlinks to, available materials and resources that address, or that provide tools to assess the achievement of, various developmental milestones; 3) a description of, contact information for, the operating hours of, and hyperlinks to, early intervention programs in the State, and a description of early intervention program eligibility and enrollment requirements; 4) a description of the availability and benefits of individualized education planning; a description of, and hyperlinks to, the resources, materials, and supports that are available to assist individuals and families who are interested in participating in individualized education planning; and a description of the supports that are available to assist schools in the development of individualized education planning programs; 5) a description of, and hyperlinks to, resources, materials, and supports that are available to assist in the transition of persons with developmental disabilities to adulthood and post-secondary school living; 6) a description of, and hyperlinks to, the programs and services that are available from the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services, and a description of the criteria that are used to determine eligibility for each such program and service; 7) a description of, and hyperlinks to, the programs and services that are available for persons with developmental disabilities from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and a description of the criteria that are used to determine eligibility for each such program and service; 8) information about available paratransit options and other relevant transportation services that can be utilized by persons with developmental disabilities in the State, including information about any discounts on transportation costs that may be available to such individuals; and 9) information about, and hyperlinks to, community-based housing options that are available to persons with developmental disabilities in the State, including information about existing housing or utility voucher programs.

     A hyperlink to this one-stop website is to be posted in a prominent location on the websites of the Departments of Human Services, Health, and Children and Families, and on the website of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities.

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