New Jersey Senate Bill S3284

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/31/22
• Refer: 10/31/22

Caption

Establishing Advisory Committee on Family Services and Communications in Division of Developmental Disabilities in DHS.

Impact

This bill will reinforce the role of family members and legal guardians in shaping the policies and practices that affect individuals with developmental disabilities. By establishing an advisory committee, S3284 empowers families to voice concerns, provide suggestions, and participate in evaluating the effectiveness of existing systems. Recommendations from the advisory committee will be presented to the Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Developmental Disabilities, ensuring that family feedback is considered in efforts to modernize and improve services.

Summary

Senate Bill S3284 establishes the Advisory Committee on Family Services and Communications within the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services. The primary purpose of this committee is to identify inefficiencies and shortcomings in the division’s outreach, communication, and provision of services and support to family members and legal guardians of individuals with developmental disabilities. The bill aims to enhance service delivery by fostering better communication between the division and families, with the goal of improving outcomes for individuals served.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its intent to improve communication and service delivery, it may also raise concerns among stakeholders about the implementation of the recommendations made by the advisory committee. Specifically, there may be debates over how effectively the committee’s suggestions are integrated into existing policies, and whether the necessary resources are allocated to meet these goals. Moreover, establishing a new committee could lead to concerns regarding its impact on already existing processes within the division and the potential for overlapping responsibilities with other entities.