Bill Text: NJ S2928 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires DHS to approve providers that serve persons with developmental disabilities in all areas of State.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-07-29 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [S2928 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-S2928-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Requires DHS to approve providers that serve persons with developmental disabilities in all areas of State.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning services for persons with developmental disabilities and amending P.L.1985, c.145.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 5 of P.L.1985, c.145 (C.30:6D-27) is amended to read as follows:
5. In addition to other functions, powers, and duties vested in [him] the director by this act or any other law, the director shall:
a. Provide services for eligible persons with developmental disabilities by identifying appropriate programs to meet their needs and by facilitating the establishment of community-based services for these persons; except that if the most appropriate services are not immediately available, the director may provide an eligible person with a developmental disability with alternate services;
b. Establish procedures for the determination of eligibility for services pursuant to this act and ensure that statements of eligibility advise the applicant about the particular functional services deemed most appropriate for the training, habilitation, care, and protection of that person with a developmental disability as of the time of the determination;
c. Establish liaison and cooperative agreements with other governmental departments and agencies which provide programs and services to persons with developmental disabilities to prevent duplication of services and encourage a continuum of care that is required by persons with developmental disabilities;
d. Establish standards for services that are provided for persons with developmental disabilities, which include the scope and quality of these services and which give full recognition to the unique problems and special needs associated with developmental disabilities;
e. Advise, consult, and provide professional assistance to organized efforts by organizations, groups, associations, and committees which work toward improving services and opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities; [and]
f. Select and retain the services of consultants whose advice is considered necessary to assist the division in obtaining information or developing plans and programs required for the performance of its duties and responsibilities pursuant to this act[.]; and
g. Not approve an agency, organization, or other entity to provide services or supports, or both, to persons with developmental disabilities eligible for services from the division, unless the agency, organization, or other entity provides services and supports to eligible persons with developmental disabilities residing in all areas of the State.
(cf: P.L.2010, c.50, s.54)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill provides that the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services is not to approve an agency, organization, or other entity to provide services or supports, or both, to persons with developmental disabilities eligible for services from the division, unless the agency, organization, or other entity provides services and supports to eligible persons with developmental disabilities residing in all areas of the State.
