This bill amends New Jersey laws concerning child abuse and neglect by expanding the definition of "child" to include individuals aged 18 to 21 in specific care settings. The revised definition now states that a "child" can be any person under 18 years of age or any person under 21 years of age who is alleged to have been abused or neglected, particularly in contexts involving teachers, employees, or volunteers of institutions responsible for their care. The term "abused or neglected child" has also been updated to reflect this broader age range, ensuring that individuals in this age group receive the same legal protections as minors.

Furthermore, the bill transfers full investigatory responsibility for incidents involving this age group from the Office of Program Integrity and Accountability in the Department of Human Services to the Department of Children and Families. It establishes new reporting requirements and legal consequences for individuals who fail to report suspected abuse or neglect of a person with a developmental disability. The legislation aims to enhance protections for vulnerable individuals by ensuring timely investigations and safeguarding communication related to incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Additionally, it mandates that summaries of investigations be provided to guardians or responsible family members and allows licensed providers from other states access to the central registry, while eliminating outdated references and requiring the creation of necessary regulations by the relevant departments.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9:6-8.21, 30:6D-74, 30:6D-75, 30:6D-76