Requires certain community residential facilities have standby emergency power generators.
Impact
The legislation aims to enhance the safety and reliability of community residences, ensuring that residents continue to receive care during power outages. It places the onus of responsibility for the cost of acquiring and installing the generator on the utility companies while establishing that the facilities themselves bear the ongoing maintenance costs. Furthermore, regular checks and servicing of the generators must align with standards set forth in regulations by the Commissioner of Human Services, thereby creating a systematic approach to emergency preparedness within these critical care facilities.
Summary
Assembly Bill A1251, introduced in New Jersey's 220th Legislature, mandates that certain community residential facilities for the developmentally disabled be equipped with standby emergency power generators. This requirement applies specifically to nonprofit community residences that are recognized and sponsored by the Department of Human Services. The bill stipulates that these facilities providing care for individuals with developmental disabilities must have generators either at the time of operation or within 90 days of the bill's enactment if they were operational beforehand. The type of generator specified is either natural gas or liquid propane fuel-powered and must be permanently connected to the residence's electrical system.
Contention
While the bill largely targets improving infrastructure and safety for vulnerable populations, there may be discussions around the financial implications for utilities and community facilities. Advocates may argue that the requirement is essential for ensuring the health and safety of residents, particularly in areas prone to power outages. Conversely, critics could voice concerns regarding the financial burden on nonprofit facilities, questioning the efficacy of imposing such mandates without additional funding or support from the government to aid in compliance.
Requires electric public utilities to establish interest-free revolving loan program to help residential customers purchase standby emergency power generators.
Requires electric public utilities to establish interest-free revolving loan program to help residential customers purchase standby emergency power generators.
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.
Establishes Division of Advocacy for Developmentally Disabled within Office of Public Defender; designates public defender for developmentally disabled clients in criminal cases.
Establishes Division of Advocacy for Developmentally Disabled within Office of Public Defender; designates public defender for developmentally disabled clients in criminal cases.