Bill
S 653
Allows certain adults with developmental disabilities transitioning from_childrens services to participate in both adult day and employment programs simultaneously if approved in t
Status & key dates
- Reported favorably (with committee amendments) by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee: February 3, 2025.
- Print number: 653A.
- Referred subsequently to Senate Ways and Means and other committees per legislative actions (see document for full timeline).
- Committee sponsors (reporting version): Senators Robert W. Singer and Angela V. McKnight.
Purpose / intent
- To expand program options for certain adults with developmental disabilities by allowing eligible individuals who are transitioning from the Division of Children’s System of Care to the Division of Developmental Disabilities to simultaneously attend an adult day program and participate in an employment program.
Background
- Under current New Jersey law, adults with developmental disabilities (age 21 and older) may participate in an adult day program or an employment program, but generally not both at the same time. The bill responds to situations where combined services would better meet an individual’s needs.
Key provisions
- Eligible population: a person with a developmental disability who is 21 years of age or older and who is transitioning from services/supports provided by the Division of Children’s System of Care to the Division of Developmental Disabilities.
- Concurrent participation allowed: such a person may attend and participate in both an adult day program and an employment program simultaneously if both of the following are satisfied:
1. The person meets the eligibility requirements for, and applies to, both the adult day program and the employment program; and
2. The person’s individualized service plan (ISP) contains documentation authorizing both attendance at the day program and participation in the employment program.
- Definitions (as used in the bill):
- “Day program” — a program certified to provide day habilitation services or sheltered workshops for persons with developmental disabilities.
- “Employment program” — a program for persons whose disabilities make sheltered employment (after appropriate vocational evaluation and training) the only suitable form of employment.
- Effective date: the act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Committee amendments / removed language
- The committee amended the bill to remove an earlier provision that would have required the Commissioner of Education to expressly allow certain persons 21 and older to attend special education programs if behavioral issues had resolved. The reported (amended) version focuses solely on simultaneous participation in adult day and employment programs.
Who is affected
- Primary: adults (21+) with developmental disabilities transitioning from the Children’s System of Care to the Division of Developmental Disabilities who meet program eligibility and have ISP authorization.
- Secondary: day program and employment program providers, case managers who prepare ISPs, the Division of Developmental Disabilities, and potentially program funding and capacity planners.
Potential impacts
- Expands options and service combinations for adults with developmental disabilities, enabling individualized combinations of habilitation and employment supports.
- May increase demand on program slots and coordination needs between day and employment program providers; the bill does not specify funding or reimbursement changes (though ISPs and applicable eligibility processes govern authorization).
- Requires documentation in ISPs to ensure coordinated services and authorization.
Notes / caveats
- The legislative packet contains varied and partly inconsistent materials (including unrelated drafts from other jurisdictions); the above summary describes the amended S.653A as reported by the New Jersey Senate Health Committee (2/3/2025).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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