New Jersey Assembly Bill A2253

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/7/22

Caption

Increases the frequency of permanency hearing from every 12 months to every six months.

Impact

The bill's implications for New Jersey's child welfare laws are significant, as it aims to address the delays in permanency decisions for children who might be living with relatives or in the care of DCPP. By mandating more frequent hearings, the legislation intends to promote faster reunification efforts with parents or guardians when appropriate, or to pursue alternative permanent placements if necessary. This could potentially lead to more stable environments for affected children, thus reducing the duration they spend outside their homes. Stakeholders, including child advocacy groups, are likely to support these changes as they emphasize the importance of timely resolutions in child welfare cases.

Summary

A2253 is a legislative bill introduced in the New Jersey Assembly that seeks to increase the frequency of permanency hearings for children placed outside their homes from every 12 months to every six months. This legislative change is aimed at enhancing the monitoring and review processes for children under the care of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP), ensuring that children's cases are evaluated more frequently to facilitate their welfare and to expedite decisions regarding their permanency plans. The bill amends existing laws that govern the timing of these court-mandated hearings, which previously allowed for a longer duration between reviews.

Contention

Some points of contention may arise concerning the practical implementation of this bill. For instance, there may be concerns regarding the workload on the courts and the available resources to conduct hearings every six months. This increased frequency may require more judges and legal personnel to handle the additional hearings, which could pose a strain on the current judicial system. Additionally, there may be differing opinions on the effectiveness of this bill, with some arguing that more frequent reviews do not necessarily equate to better outcomes for children, especially if other systemic issues, such as resource funding and family support services, are not simultaneously addressed.