This bill expands the definition of child abuse or neglect to include individuals aged 18 to 21 in specific care settings, thereby broadening the legal understanding of "children" to encompass anyone under 21 who may be subjected to abuse or neglect, particularly by staff in institutions responsible for their care. The bill clarifies the responsibilities of parents or guardians and outlines the conditions under which a child may be deemed abused or neglected, including various forms of physical and emotional harm. Additionally, it transfers the 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, ensuring comprehensive oversight of investigations.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new reporting requirements for individuals working in state-funded programs or facilities, mandating the reporting of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of individuals with developmental disabilities. It establishes penalties for failing to report such incidents and outlines investigation procedures, including a requirement for the commissioner or designee to review incidents within 14 days and for the Office of Investigations to issue a written report within 30 days of concluding an investigation. The bill also allows for the sharing of investigative records among oversight entities and ensures that guardians or responsible family members receive summaries of investigations when appropriate.

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