STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman AURA K. DUNN
District 25 (Morris and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Tucker, Murphy, Speight, Swain and Assemblyman Tully
SYNOPSIS
Requires Division of Developmental Disabilities, during public health emergency, to develop guidance for in-person visitation at community-based residential settings for individuals with developmental disabilities and require providers to allow such visitation.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning certain community-based residential programs and group homes and supplementing Title 30 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. As used in this act:
"Community-based residential program" means a developmental center, supervised apartment, community care residence, nursing home, or other residential setting for individuals with developmental disabilities, which is licensed and regulated by the Department of Human Services.
"Developmental disability" means the same as that term is defined by section 3 of P.L.1977, c.82 (C.30:6D-3).
"Group home" means a living arrangement that is operated in a residence or residences leased or owned by an individual licensed by the Department of Human Services; which provides the opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to live together in a home, sharing in chores and the overall management of the residence; and in which staff provides supervision, training, or assistance in a variety of forms and intensity as required to assist the individuals as they move toward independence.
"Resident" means any child or adult whose primary residence is in a community-based residential program or group home.
2. During a declared public health emergency the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Health, shall develop guidance for, and shall require the operator of a community-based residential program or group home to allow, in-person visitation between a resident of the community-based residential program or group home and the resident's immediate family members and legal guardian.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would provide for the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) in the Department of Human Services (DHS), acting in consultation with the Department of Health during a declared public health emergency, to develop guidance for, and to require the operator of a DHS-licensed community-based residential program or group home to allow, in-person visitation between a resident of the community-based residential program or group home and the resident's immediate family members and legal guardian.
A "community-based residential program" includes a developmental center, supervised apartment, community care residence, nursing home, or other residential setting for individuals with developmental disabilities, which is licensed and regulated by the DHS.
A "group home" is a living arrangement that is operated in a residence or residences leased or owned by an individual licensed by the DHS; which provides the opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to live together in a home, sharing in chores and the overall management of the residence; and in which staff provides supervision, training, or assistance in a variety of forms and intensity as required to assist the individuals as they move toward independence.