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New JerseyS3750220th Legislature (2024-2025)SenateWALLET

Enhances enforcement authority over developmental disability service providers; establishes "Residential Facility Quality of Care Improvement Fund" in DHS.

Sponsored By: Anthony M. Bucco (Republican), Carol A. Murphy (Democratic), Joseph F. Vitale (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.

Missed abuse reports bring personal penalties

Beginning July 1, 2026, failing to make a required abuse, neglect, or exploitation report carries a $350 daily civil penalty. The money goes to the Residential Facility Quality of Care Improvement Fund, and criminal penalties also apply. Failure to report is a disorderly person offense; case managers and supervisors face a fourth-degree crime for knowingly failing to report. A reporting failure that contributes to death is a third-degree crime. Covered case managers, supervisors, and suspected caregivers charged with failing to report must receive temporary duties without contact with vulnerable people. Conviction requires firing; department employees retain available Civil Service review rights.

Provider fines fund better disability care

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law creates the Residential Facility Quality of Care Improvement Fund within Human Services. The department manages it in consultation with the Treasury. Specified existing fines and provider penalties support care-quality improvements and related administrative, licensing, and regulatory work. Unspent money stays in the revolving fund rather than expiring at year-end. The law sets no total funding amount.

Disability providers face stronger licensing enforcement

Beginning July 1, 2026, unlicensed residential settings and day programs lacking required certification receive a first-offense written warning. A second or later offense carries fines up to $10,000; third or later offenses also allow payment suspensions for unlicensed residential services. A second consecutive provisional license at the same location carries a fine up to $10,000. The state can also end provider authorization for violating this law or other Division requirements and policies. These powers strengthen care safeguards, while providers retain the right to appeal penalties and loss of authorization.

Disability providers must investigate and correct

Beginning July 1, 2026, providers must investigate alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation and submit complete reports within 180 days of the incident. Reports must document impartiality, interviews, evidence, findings, reasons for findings, guardian notification, and completion. Failing to investigate and submit the report carries fines up to $10,000 for each investigation not conducted. After a state investigation closes, providers face fines up to $10,000 for failing to submit plans addressing all cited violations and concerns. These duties strengthen protections for people receiving services while adding provider obligations.

Faster abuse reporting protects disabled people

Beginning July 1, 2026, covered workers, volunteers, visitors, and service providers must immediately report suspected caregiver abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The duty applies when they have reasonable cause to believe a person with a developmental disability was harmed. Reports to the Department of Human Services must include available victim, caregiver, incident, and immediate-response details. The department must maintain a reporting unit, verify report priority within 48 hours, start appropriate investigations, and ensure timely findings. These changes strengthen protection while expanding reporting duties.

Stronger oversight for unsafe disability care

Beginning July 1, 2026, New Jersey can fine disability-service providers for rule violations, considering past violations, cooperation, and prevention efforts. Substantiated exploitation, or administrative neglect, abuse, or neglect involving moderate or major injury, carries fines up to $25,000 per offense. Moderate injury requires professional care beyond basic first aid; major injury requires hospital treatment and possible admission. Providers with lasting health, safety, or quality problems across locations or programs can receive Quality Management Team oversight. This strengthens care protections, but providers face fines up to $5,000 every three months until the team finds improvement.

Stronger staff screening in disability care

Beginning July 1, 2026, stronger screening enforcement protects people receiving disability services while adding provider sanctions. Employing or failing to remove someone on the developmental-disability offender registry or child abuse registry carries fines up to $10,000. Missing required initial or biannual criminal-history checks, or required drug testing, triggers a corrective plan for a first offense. A second offense blocks transfers and admissions until the provider complies. Third or later offenses carry fines up to $10,000 per missing background check, or up to $10,000 for drug-testing violations.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Anthony M. Bucco

    Republican • Senate

  • Carol A. Murphy

    Democratic • House

  • Joseph F. Vitale

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Patrick J. Diegnan Jr.

    Democratic • Senate

  • Shama A. Haider

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 108 • No: 0

House vote • 1/12/2026

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 71 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 12/22/2025

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor — P.L.2025, c.280.

    1/18/2026Governor

  2. Passed Assembly, PBH — (71-0-1)

    1/12/2026House

  3. Substituted for A5634 (2R)

    1/12/2026House

  4. Reported, 2nd Reading in Assembly

    1/8/2026House

  5. Received in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee

    1/2/2026House

  6. Passed Senate — (37-0)

    12/22/2025Senate

  7. REP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate

    12/15/2025Senate

  8. Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

    5/19/2025Senate

  9. REP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate

    5/19/2025Senate

  10. Introduced, 1st Reading in Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee

    10/7/2024Senate

Bill Text

  • Version PL2025

    6/4/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Version AL2025

    5/21/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Budget and Appropriations (12/15/25 2R)

    1/13/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Assembly Appropriations Substitute (1/8/26 2R)

    1/9/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • 12/23/25; 2R

    12/23/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • 12/16/25; 1R

    12/16/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Budget and Appropriations Substitute (12/15/25 1R)

    12/16/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens (5/19/25 1R)

    5/20/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Substitute (5/19/25)

    5/20/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • As Introduced

    11/20/2024

    HTMLPDF

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