ASSEMBLY HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 860

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 3, 2020

      The Assembly Human Services Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 860.

     This bill establishes the “Task Force on Supportive Technology for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities.” The purpose of the task force will be to study opportunities for the expanded use of supportive technology for individuals with developmental disabilities in the State and provide recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on how the use of supportive technology could improve the lives of individuals, with particular attention to the following areas:

     1)    proposing State policy initiatives to encourage and support the use of supportive technology by individuals with developmental disabilities;

     2)    advising of any impediments, law, regulation, or practice that may potentially interfere with the expanded use of supportive technology by individuals with developmental disabilities;

     3)    identifying areas in which sufficient support for those with developmental disabilities is not currently available and opportunities for the expanded use of supportive technology in the following contexts: employment, education, and the activities of daily life; 

     4)    identify best practices, opportunities for shared services, or potential partnerships that would increase supportive technology opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities; and

     5)    make recommendations on integrating supportive technology into existing programs.

     The task force is to consist of 15 members as follows: the Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services, the Director of the Division of Disability Services in the Department of Human Services, the Director of the Children’s System of Care in the Department of Children and Families, and 12 public members, three of whom are to be appointed by the President of the Senate, three of whom are to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, three of whom are to be appointed by Speaker of the General Assembly, and three of whom are to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly.

     The bill requires that the task force prepare and submit a written report to the Governor and to the Legislature, no later than 18 months following its initial meeting, outlining its recommendations for the expanded use of supportive technology for individuals with developmental disabilities in the State.  The bill would expire on the 30th day following submission by the task force of its written recommendations.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.