This bill amends New Jersey laws regarding child abuse and neglect by expanding the definition of "child" to include individuals aged 18 to 21 in specific care settings. The updated 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 revised to reflect this broader age range, ensuring that protections against abuse and neglect extend to young adults in vulnerable situations.

Furthermore, the bill transfers full investigatory responsibility for incidents involving individuals aged 18 to 21 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 mandates that the commissioner or designee review incidents involving individuals with developmental disabilities within 14 days, maintain secure communication records, and issue a written report within 30 days of concluding an investigation. The report must detail the nature of the incident, findings, and recommended actions, while also allowing for the sharing of investigative records among various departments and entities involved in oversight.

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