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Bill

A 4808

Establishes New Jersey Justice Center for the Protection of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Shama Haider and 2 co-sponsors

Creates the New Jersey Justice Center to protect IDD individuals, centralizing investigations, prosecutions, oversight, and standardizing safeguards across providers.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4808

Summary of Bill A-4808 (NJ 2026, Session 222)

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes the New Jersey Justice Center for the Protection of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (the Justice Center) within the Department of Human Services.
  • Aims to standardize and strengthen safeguards, oversight, and protections for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who receive services from department-funded, licensed, or regulated programs and facilities.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions (Section 2):

    • Defines terms such as abuse, neglect, exploitation, caregiver, direct care staff, department program or facility, and substantiated findings to guide investigations and actions.

  • Establishment and leadership (Section 3):

    • Creates the Justice Center led by an Executive Director appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent.
    • The Executive Director may hire staff, set policies, and manage operations within statutory appropriations.
    • Authority to contract with external entities and to accept grants or gifts for act purposes.
    • Requires ongoing cost-effectiveness reviews of department programs for IDD services focusing on efficiency, outcomes, and spending.

  • Central Registry and investigations (Section 4 & 5):

    • The Justice Center will house the Central Registry of Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (existing under prior law) and oversee receipt, investigation, and review of allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in IDD contexts.
    • Full access to department programs, facilities, and related records as needed for investigations, with confidentiality protections as applicable by law.

  • Structure for handling cases (Section 6):

    • Two separate units under the Justice Center: one for criminal prosecutions and one for non-criminal matters.
    • If an investigation reveals potential criminal issues, the matter can be referred to the criminal unit.

  • Special prosecutor and inspector general (Section 7):

    • Establishes a Special Prosecutor and an Inspector General for IDD protection, appointed by the Governor.
    • Special Prosecutor duties include investigating and prosecuting IDD-related abuse/neglect/exploitation and assisting other law enforcement.
    • Authority to seek cooperation from State agencies and to apply for search warrants (with limited notice requirements).
    • May attend court sessions or grand jury proceedings related to IDD abuse/neglect cases.

  • Responsibilities and procedures (Section 8):

    • Develop procedures for notification, representation in administrative hearings, and coordination to avoid service duplication across co-located facilities.
    • Establish uniform character and competence reviews for providers, codes of conduct for direct care staff, and mandated training on reporting, abuse prevention, and incident management.
    • Implement processes for background checks, facility visits, safety monitoring, and legal rights education for IDD individuals.
    • Provide guidance and assistance to families, advocates, and providers; disseminate information on records access and appeals.

  • Medical Review Board (Section 9):

    • Creates the Justice Center Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Medical Review Board (up to 15 members, including medical and forensic specialists).
    • Board responsibilities include reviewing unusual or non-natural deaths, arranging autopsies when needed, inspecting facilities, and advising the Executive Director on medical issues.
    • Confidential proceedings; protective privacy measures for records.

  • Annual reporting (Section 10):

    • Annual report to the Governor and Legislature detailing: number of reports, investigation results, corrective actions, patterns/trends, and training activities.
    • Report to be posted on the Justice Center website.

  • Effective date (Section 11):

    • Takes effect 90 days after enactment, with potential anticipatory actions by the Commissioner of Human Services to implement in advance.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals with IDD receiving services from State-funded, licensed, or regulated programs and facilities.
  • Direct care staff, caregivers (excluding immediate family members), and providers in IDD settings.
  • State agencies, district attorneys, and local law enforcement involved in IDD-related abuse/neglect cases.
  • State facilities and programs overseen by the Department of Human Services.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Awaiting enactment; effective 90 days post-enactment.
  • Establishes new administrative framework, reporting requirements, and governing boards/prosecutorial roles to begin operations upon funding and staffing.

Overall, Bill A-4808 creates a centralized, specialized entity to protect IDD individuals, unify investigative and prosecutorial efforts, codify staff training and conduct standards, and improve accountability and transparency across IDD service providers in New Jersey.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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