The bill seeks to restore the Department of the Public Advocate as a principal department within New Jersey's Executive Branch, following its abolishment in 2010. It outlines the structure of the Department, which will include several divisions such as the Division of Administration, Division of Citizen Relations, Division of Mental Health Advocacy, Division of Advocacy for the Developmentally Disabled, Division of Rate Counsel, Division of Public Interest Advocacy, Division of Elder Advocacy, and the Office of the Child Advocate. The bill also transfers the Corrections Ombudsperson and the Dispute Settlement Office into the Division of Citizen Relations, enhancing the Department's ability to address citizen complaints and facilitate dispute resolution. The Public Advocate, appointed by the Governor, will oversee the Department and its functions.

Additionally, the bill includes significant amendments, such as the deletion of provisions that allowed the Division of Rate Counsel to assess vendors for costs incurred during public hearings and the redefinition of the contracting process for water supply services to ensure public hearings are conducted for renegotiated contracts. It emphasizes the roles of various divisions in advocating for specific populations, including individuals with developmental disabilities and the elderly, while also representing the public interest in regulatory matters. The legislation aims to strengthen advocacy efforts and improve the quality of services provided to vulnerable populations in New Jersey, with the bill set to take effect 180 days after its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:4A-60, 9:6-8.76, 9:6-8.89, 17:29A-14, 17:29A-46.8, 30:1A-4, 30:1B-6.3, 30:4-3.25, 30:4C-69, 30:13-3, 46:8-21.1, 46:10B-28, 48:2-21.17, 48:2-21.24, 48:2-21.26, 48:2-21.28, 48:2-21.30, 48:2-21.34, 48:2-21.36, 48:3-87, 48:3-94, 52:14-15.107, 52:27EE-12, 52:27EE-21, 52:27EE-22, 52:27EE-23, 52:27EE-26, 52:27EE-29, 52:27EE-31, 52:27EE-34, 52:27EE-35, 52:27EE-36, 52:27EE-37, 52:27EE-46, 52:27EE-47, 52:27EE-48, 52:27EE-52, 52:27EE-53, 52:27EE-54, 52:27EE-61, 52:27EE-62, 52:27EE-63, 52:27EE-65, 52:27G-3, 52:27G-4, 56:12-12, 58:11-59, 58:26-5, 58:26-11, 58:26-12, 58:27-11, 58:27-12