The bill, known as Harrisons Law, mandates that every Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) in New Jersey must include a member who is specifically trained to interact with individuals who have developmental disabilities. This addition aims to ensure that the unique needs of victims with developmental disabilities are adequately addressed during the response to sexual assault incidents. The current composition of the SART includes a certified forensic sexual assault nurse examiner, a rape care advocate, and a law enforcement official, but this bill expands that requirement to include the specialized training necessary for effective communication and support for this vulnerable population.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the trained individual in developmental disabilities will only be required to respond to cases where the victim has such a disability. This targeted approach ensures that the response team is equipped to provide appropriate assistance while also maintaining the integrity of the response process for all victims of sexual assault. The bill is set to take effect on the first day of the fourth month following its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:4B-54