Bill Text: NJ S2846 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires DHS to contract with independent firm for analysis of costs and local impact prior to closure or privatization of State developmental centers or psychiatric hospitals.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-12 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [S2846 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-S2846-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Requires DHS to contract with independent firm for analysis of costs and local impact prior to closure or privatization of State developmental centers or psychiatric hospitals.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning State developmental centers and psychiatric hospitals and amending P.L.1996, c.150.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 2 of P.L.1996, c.150 (C.30:1-7.4) is amended to read as follows:
2. a. Except in the case of an emergency condition, the commissioner shall not implement a decision to close an existing facility or to privatize any services, functions or units of an existing facility, if the commissioner finds that the decision shall result in the abolition of 100 or more non-vacant, full-time positions in the career service at the existing facility or facilities affected by the decision, unless the commissioner has complied with the procedures set forth in this section.
b. Pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the commissioner shall conduct at least one public hearing which shall be held in the region in which the facility is located, or a central location designated by the commissioner if more than one facility is affected by the decision, to provide an opportunity for the public to submit testimony on the proposed closing or privatization. The hearing shall be conducted at least 45 days in advance of a facility closure, or at least 30 days prior to the issuance of a Request for Proposal. For a facility closure, the public hearing shall be held within 15 days of publication of a Notice of Intent to close a facility by the commissioner in accordance with subsection c. of this section. The commissioner shall select a publicly convenient location for the hearing and shall give all persons the opportunity to testify in person or to submit written testimony.
c. The Notice of Intent to close a facility pursuant to subsection b. of this section shall be mailed, telephoned, telegrammed or hand delivered to at least two newspapers for publication, at least one of which shall be within the geographic boundaries of the county where the facility is located. Failure to comply with the requirements of this subsection shall not invalidate or delay any facility closure.
d. The commissioner shall prepare a report setting forth a fiscal impact analysis, policy rationale and summary of the testimony received at any hearing held pursuant to this section. This report shall be submitted to the chairmen of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee within five days of the issuance of a Notice of Intent to Award or within 30 days following the last scheduled public hearing for a facility closure.
e. The commissioner shall contract with an independent firm which shall:
(1) conduct an analysis of the estimated costs to be incurred to close or privatize a facility and of the estimated amount of savings, if any, to the State as a result of the decision to close or privatize the facility;
(2) conduct an analysis of the estimated economic impact on the county in which the facility is located and on the communities surrounding the facility; and
(3) prepare a written report setting forth the results of its analyses conducted pursuant to this subsection, which report shall be submitted to the chairmen of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee within 30 days following the last scheduled public hearing for a facility closure or privatization pursuant to subsection b. of this section.
The independent firm shall be qualified by experience, training, resources, and education to perform the analyses specified in this subsection.
(cf: P.L.1996, c.150, s.2)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill amends section 2 of P.L.1996, c.150 (C.30:1-7.4), which sets forth procedures which must be followed prior to implementing a decision to close or privatize State developmental centers or State psychiatric hospitals in which the commissioner finds that the decision shall result in the abolition of 100 or more non-vacant, full-time positions in the career service at the affected facility. The bill provides that the commissioner shall contract with an independent firm which shall:
· conduct an analysis of the estimated costs to be incurred to close or privatize the developmental center or psychiatric hospital and of the estimated amount of savings, if any, to the State as a result of the decision to close or privatize the center or hospital;
· conduct an analysis of the estimated economic impact on the county in which the developmental center or psychiatric hospital is located and on the communities surrounding the center or hospital; and
· prepare a written report setting forth the results of its analyses, which report shall be submitted to the chairmen of the Joint Budget Oversight Committee within 30 days following the last scheduled public hearing for a facility closure or privatization required by section 2 of P.L.1996, c.150.
The independent firm shall be qualified by experience, training, resources, and education to perform the analyses.
