New Jersey Assembly Bill A4246

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/2/24
• Refer: 5/2/24

Caption

Requires children's psychiatric facilities to have designated staff members visually supervise patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Impact

The passage of A4246 is set to significantly impact New Jersey's child welfare laws, particularly regarding the operations of psychiatric facilities. By expanding the definition of caregivers to include facility administrators or directors, the bill establishes a framework that holds these individuals accountable for the daily care, custody, and control of children. Consequently, it aims to ensure that children are not left unsupervised, which poses risks to their safety and well-being. Facilities will need to adapt their staffing protocols, enhance training programs, and potentially increase operational costs to comply with these new regulations.

Summary

Bill A4246, introduced by Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, mandates that children's psychiatric facilities must ensure designated staff members provide active visual supervision of patients around-the-clock. This supervision includes the use of video monitoring systems, which must be overseen by trained personnel from the facility. The bill aims to enhance the safety and care provided to children receiving psychiatric treatment, acknowledging the crucial need for constant supervision in such sensitive environments. It seeks to amend the Revised Statutes to establish clearer responsibilities for care and supervision in facilities catering to children's mental health needs.

Contention

Discussions surrounding Bill A4246 may likely highlight concerns regarding the implementation and financial implications of the new supervision requirements. Stakeholders might express apprehensions about the adequacy of resources available for facilities to meet the stricter supervision standards. Additionally, the effectiveness of video monitoring as a substitute for human oversight could also be debated. Critics could argue that while the intent of the bill is to enhance safety, the practical challenges faced by facilities in managing increased oversight can lead to operational burdens, potentially affecting the quality of care provided.