Bill Text: NJ S1505 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Expands membership of NJ Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-1)
Status: (Passed) 2020-01-21 - Approved P.L.2019, c.395. [S1505 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-S1505-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH F. VITALE
District 19 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Expands membership of NJ Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning child abuse and amending P.L.1994, c119.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 3 of P.L.1994, c.119 (C.9:6-8.76) is amended to read as follows:
3. The task force shall consist of [29] 30 members as follows: the Commissioners of Human Services, Children and Families, Education, Community Affairs, Corrections, and Health [and Senior Services], the Attorney General, two judges of the Superior Court involved in both civil and criminal court proceedings related to child abuse and neglect as appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Public Defender, and the Superintendent of State Police, or their designees, as ex officio members; two members of the Senate and the General Assembly, respectively, no more than one of whom in each case shall be of the same political party; and a county prosecutor appointed by the Attorney General. The [13] 14 public members shall be appointed by the Governor as follows: one member who is a director of a regional diagnostic and treatment center for child abuse and neglect; one member who represents the Advocates for Children of New Jersey; one member who represents Foster and Adoptive Family Services; one member who represents the Child Placement Advisory Council; one member who represents a faith-based organization; one member who is a director of a county department of human services; one member who is a youth 21 years of age or younger who is or has been placed under the care and custody of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency because of an allegation of child abuse or neglect; two members who represent service providers under contract with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency; and five members of the public who have an interest or expertise in issues concerning child welfare. The public members shall reflect the diversity of the residents of the State and the children and families served by the State's child welfare system.
The task force membership shall comply with the multidisciplinary requirements set forth in the "Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act," Pub.L.93-247 (42 U.S.C. s.5101 et seq.).
The task force shall be
co-chaired, one co-chair shall be the Commissioner of Children and Families and
the other shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the
Senate. The second co-chair shall be selected from among the public members
and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The
public members shall serve for a term of three years.
(cf: P.L.2012, c.16, s.37)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill expands the membership of the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect from 29 to 30, to include a member of the Child Placement Advisory Council.
The Child Placement Advisory Council was established pursuant to P.L.1977, c.424 (C.30:4C-51 et seq.). The council oversees child placement review boards and reviews the policies, practices, and procedures of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) in the Department of Children and Families with respect to the placement of children outside their homes.
The New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect is mandated to study and develop recommendations regarding the most effective means of improving the quality and scope of child protective and preventive services provided by State government, including a review of the practices and policies used by DCPP.
Since both the council and the task force have similar mandates, it is appropriate that a member of the council be included on the task force to help in its deliberations and assist in developing recommendations to help children receiving child protective services from DCPP.
