Bill Text: NJ S1995 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Provides that persons between 18 and 21 years of age with disabilities are eligible to receive direct support professional services from DHS.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [S1995 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S1995-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Ruiz
SYNOPSIS
Provides that persons between 18 and 21 years of age with disabilities are eligible to receive direct support professional services from DHS.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning direct support professionals 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. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation to the contrary, any person with a disability who is between 18 and 21 years of age shall be eligible to receive direct support professional services from the Department of Human Services.
b. The Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Children and Families and the Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services, shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
c. As used in this section:
"Direct support professional" means an individual who provides direct, non-medical supportive assistance, on a daily basis, to a person who has a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability, with the aim of helping the person to: become better integrated into the community or the least restrictive environment; more effectively understand, communicate, and advocate for, the person's individual needs and desires; identify and participate in positive employment, job coaching, and training opportunities; make informed choices, and better understand the options and possible consequences of choices relating to physical health, safety, and emotional well-being; address challenging behaviors through a person-centered approach; successfully engage in the basic activities of daily living; identify and participate in activities that promote a healthy lifestyle; and otherwise lead a self-directed and autonomous life.
"Person with a disability" means a person who has a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would provide that any person with a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability who is between 18 and 21 years of age or older is eligible to receive direct support professional services from the Department of Human Services. A direct support professional provides direct, non-medical supportive assistance, on a daily basis, to a person who has a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability, with the aim of helping the person to: become better integrated into the community or the least restrictive environment; more effectively understand, communicate, and advocate for, the person's individual needs and desires; identify and participate in positive employment, job coaching, and training opportunities; make informed choices, and better understand the options and possible consequences of choices relating to physical health, safety, and emotional well-being; address challenging behaviors through a person-centered approach; successfully engage in the basic activities of daily living; identify and participate in activities that promote a healthy lifestyle; and otherwise lead a self-directed and autonomous life.
Currently, individuals are not eligible for benefits from the Department of Human Services, including services from direct support professionals, until they reach the age of 21. Before the age of 21, it is assumed that individuals will receive necessary services at school, through the Department of Education. This bill would ensure that individuals who graduate high school earlier than age 21 are eligible for direct support professional services.
The bill would require the Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Children and Families and the Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services, to adopt rules and regulations to implement the bill's provisions.
