This bill amends current law to establish annual fellowship stipends for participants in the Direct Support Professional Career Development Program, which supports individuals providing services to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The legislation modifies Section 5 of P.L.2021, c.421 by inserting a provision for annual appropriations from the General Fund to the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, beginning in Fiscal Year 2026, to ensure the ongoing funding necessary for the program.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education will distribute grants to the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development to support the program and will provide annual fellowship funding to cover living expenses for participants. It also supports existing direct support professionals in covering educational costs, while limiting administrative expenses to no more than 10% of the appropriated funds. The previous provision for a one-time appropriation of $1,000,000 is effectively replaced with this ongoing funding mechanism.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:64A-86