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Bill

Bill

S 2657

Requires child abuse reporting hotline maintained by DCPP to provide information on resources available to victims and families.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Britnee Timberlake

Requires NJ's child abuse hotline to provide callers with information on victim support resources alongside abuse reporting intake functions.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
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Bill Summary · S 2657

Legislative bill overview

S 2657 mandates that New Jersey's Department of Children and Family Protection (DCPP) child abuse reporting hotline must provide callers with information about available resources for abuse victims and their families. This expands the hotline's function beyond simply receiving reports to include a resource referral component.

Why is this important

Abuse victims and families often don't know where to access critical services like counseling, shelter, legal aid, or medical care. By integrating resource information directly into the hotline—a touchpoint many victims already contact—the bill aims to connect vulnerable people with support services when they're most likely to reach out for help. This can improve outcomes by reducing barriers to accessing assistance during crisis situations.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Adding comprehensive resource information and staff training may increase operational expenses for DCPP during a period when state budgets are constrained
  • Hotline capacity concerns: Providing detailed resource guidance could lengthen call times, potentially delaying urgent abuse reports or overwhelming call centers during peak demand
  • Resource accuracy and maintenance: Maintaining current, accurate information on available services requires ongoing coordination with multiple agencies and organizations, creating administrative burden and potential liability if information becomes outdated

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

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