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Bill

A 937

Establishes Office of Child Advocate.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Rosy Bagolie and 4 co-sponsors

Creates the Office of the Child Advocate to independently oversee and improve state and private child welfare services, with broad investigative and enforcement powers.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
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Bill Summary · A 937

Overview

  • Bill: Assembly No. 937 (A-937)
  • Session/Jurisdiction: New Jersey, 222nd Legislature
  • Purpose: Establishes the Office of the Child Advocate, an independent office within the executive branch (allocated in the Department of Law and Public Safety) to advocate for the welfare of children at risk of abuse or neglect and to oversee state responses to child protection matters.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Create the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) to ensure effective, timely, and appropriate services for:
    • Children at risk of abuse or neglect
    • Children under state supervision due to abuse or neglect
  • Position the OCA as a protective-alignment body, with authority to monitor, review, and improve how state and contracted services handle child welfare.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Establishment and Independence
    • Creates the Office of the Child Advocate within, but independent of, the Department of Law and Public Safety.
  • Leadership and Appointment
    • The Child Advocate serves as administrator and CEO.
    • Appointed by the Governor for a five-year term; removable for cause.
    • The Advocate’s full professional time is devoted to the role; vacancy filled similarly to the original appointment.
  • Core Duties and Powers
    • Administer and oversee the OCA; appoint/remove staff; formulate regulations; initiate legal action as needed.
    • Access records relevant to investigations (including pupil records under certain laws) and reasonable access to the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System, with limitations.
    • Issue subpoenas, seek court orders, and conduct investigations into child welfare matters.
    • Disseminate information publicly about the office’s objectives and services.
    • Aid the Governor in coordinating among state agencies to improve child services.
  • Investigative and Oversight Authority
    • May investigate, review, monitor, or evaluate state agency responses to alleged child abuse/neglect.
    • Inspect operations of juvenile detention centers, group homes, residential facilities, shelters, resource family homes, and other places where children are placed.
    • Review procedures of agencies providing child services; evaluate private entities funded by the state that care for children.
    • Receive and act on complaints about state, county, municipal agencies, or state-funded entities.
    • Hold public hearings; operate a 24-hour toll-free hotline; conduct unannounced site visits when justified.
  • Public Reporting and Transparency
    • Annual report to the Governor, Attorney General, and Legislature, detailing activities, priorities, and recommendations; report publicly and post on the DLPS website.
    • Findings from investigations and studies are public, with confidentiality protections for certain information (e.g., safety of individuals, confidentiality of complainants and certain case details).
  • Institutional Accountability
    • Specifically requires monitoring and reporting on the Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit within the Department of Children and Families to protect children in institutions or resource-family care.
  • Legal and Procedural Provisions
    • The Act authorizes the OCA to intervene in litigation or administrative proceedings to protect or promote children’s rights, with opportunities for negotiations or alternative dispute resolution.
    • Rules and regulations to be adopted under the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • Effective Date
    • Takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who and What Would Be Affected

  • Affected Parties:
    • Children in New Jersey at risk of abuse or neglect
    • Children under state supervision due to abuse/neglect
    • State agencies (e.g., Department of Children and Families, DLPS, Juvenile Justice Commission) and state-funded private entities providing child services
    • Institutions and facilities housing or caring for children (e.g., juvenile detention centers, group homes, shelters, residential facilities)
  • Public Impact:
    • Enhanced oversight and potential reform of child welfare practices
    • Public access to findings and recommendations (with confidentiality safeguards)
    • Expanded accountability of private entities receiving state funding for child-related services

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Establishment of the OCA with a five-year appointed term for the Child Advocate
  • OCA can hire staff and operate with its own budget under state law
  • Requires annual reporting to the Governor, Attorney General, and Legislature; public posting of reports
  • Enables ongoing monitoring of corrective actions by agencies, with specified timelines (e.g., corrective-action responses due within 30 days of findings; one-year monitoring period, extendable by agreement)
  • Allows for immediate action through subpoenas, court orders, and potential litigation or administrative intervention when addressing systemic problems

Summary

A-937 would create the Office of the Child Advocate as an independent, within-the-law-structure entity aimed at safeguarding and improving services for children affected by abuse, neglect, or state care. It grants the Advocate broad powers to investigate state and private providers, access records, issue subpoenas, hold hearings, and participate in legal or administrative proceedings to protect children. The office would publicly report annually on priorities and progress while maintaining confidential protections for sensitive information. It also mandates coordination with state agencies to address systemic issues and ensures ongoing accountability through corrective-action monitoring.

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

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