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New JerseyS3754220th Legislature (2024-2025)Senate

Establishes "Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee" in DHS; makes appropriation.

Sponsored By: Rosaura Bagolie (Democratic), Angela V. McKnight (Democratic), Shanique Speight (Democratic), Joseph F. Vitale (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New reviews of disability deaths and abuse

Beginning April 18, 2026, New Jersey creates a 13-member advisory committee in the Department of Human Services. It reviews selected deaths and cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving adults ages 18 and older with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Members include agency staff, providers, experts, advocates, a person with a disability, and two family members. The committee sets review rules, studies contacts with service systems across living settings, and identifies risks linked to social conditions or provider practices. It recommends better prevention, reporting, investigations, provider accountability, and treatment of victims, families, and complainants. Its reviews do not replace formal agency investigations. Selected case reviews must be completed within two years after the effective date. Within 27 months after that date, the commissioner must report findings, recommendations, current strengths, and comparisons with other states to the Governor and Legislature. The report excludes confidential or identifying information, and the law expires when it is submitted. The law provides the state General Fund money needed for this work, without setting a dollar amount or creating household payments.

Private disability reviews limit public access

Beginning April 18, 2026, state human services and children’s agencies can share confidential client records with the committee under its rules. The committee must protect its records, discussions, findings, and recommendations, and cannot release personal identifying information publicly. Only a confidential master file can contain names; it holds limited identifying and death details. Committee materials are closed to public-records requests, legal discovery, subpoenas, and use as evidence in civil or administrative cases. The chair can refer cases, including findings, to an appropriate agency when needed for investigation or services. Members cannot be questioned about information presented in committee proceedings and have protection from civil damages for good-faith reporting. The Department of Human Services may set civil penalties for members who disclose confidential information negligently or knowingly and willfully.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Rosaura Bagolie

    Democratic • House

  • Angela V. McKnight

    Democratic • Senate

  • Shanique Speight

    Democratic • House

  • Joseph F. Vitale

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Patrick J. Diegnan Jr.

    Democratic • Senate

  • Shama A. Haider

    Democratic • House

  • M. Teresa Ruiz

    Democratic • Senate

  • Alex Sauickie

    Republican • House

  • Andrew Zwicker

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 110 • No: 0

House vote • 1/12/2026

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 72 • No: 0

Senate vote • 12/18/2025

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor — P.L.2025, c.282.

    1/18/2026Governor

  2. Passed Assembly, PBH — (72-0-0)

    1/12/2026House

  3. Substituted for A5638

    1/12/2026House

  4. Reported, 2nd Reading in Assembly

    1/8/2026House

  5. TRANS Assembly Appropriations Committee

    1/8/2026House

  6. Received in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee

    12/18/2025House

  7. Passed Senate — (38-0)

    12/18/2025Senate

  8. Reported, 2nd Reading in Senate

    6/26/2025Senate

  9. Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

    12/19/2024Senate

  10. REP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate

    12/19/2024Senate

  11. 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 Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens (12/19/24 1R)

    1/13/2026

    HTMLPDF

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

    1/9/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Budget and Appropriations Substitute (6/26/25 1R)

    6/27/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • 6/25/25; 1R

    6/25/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Substitute (12/19/24)

    12/20/2024

    HTMLPDF

  • As Introduced

    12/17/2024

    HTMLPDF

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