N.J. Stat. tit. 30, ch. 1A

N.J. Stat. tit. 30, ch. 1A
in effect

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-1 Change of name of department of institutions and agencies; reference to department or commissioner of institutions and agencies to mean department or commissioner of human services

All the functions, powers and duties of the existing Department of Institutions and Agencies and the commissioner thereof not herein transferred to the Department of Corrections are continued; provided, however, that the Department of Institutions and Agencies continued hereunder shall hereinafter be known and referred to as the Department of Human Services. With respect to the functions, powers and duties of the Department of Institutions and Agencies not herein transferred to the Department of Corrections, whenever in any law, rule, regulation, judicial or administrative proceeding or otherwise, reference is made to the Department of Institutions and Agencies, or to the Commissioner of Institutions and Agencies, the same shall mean and refer to the Department of Human Services and the Commissioner of Human Services, respectively. L.1976, c. 98, s. 25, eff. Nov. 1, 1976.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-1.1 References to "Division of Mental Health and Hospitals"

11. Whenever the term "Division of Mental Health and Hospitals" occurs or any reference is made thereto in any law, contract or document, the same shall be deemed to mean or refer to the "Division of Mental Health Services." L.1995,c.4,s.11.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-3 Suspicion of abuse or exploitation of resident of residential health care facility; report; immunity from liability for report or testimony; notice to ombudsman; evaluation; findings; recommended action; registry

a. As used in this section "abuse" means the willful infliction of physical pain, injury or mental anguish; unreasonable confinement; or, the willful deprivation of services which are necessary to maintain a person's physical and mental health; and "exploitation" means the act or process of using a person or his resources for another person's profit or advantage. b. Any person who has reasonable cause to suspect that a resident of a residential health care facility, rooming house or boarding house is suffering or has suffered abuse or exploitation, shall report such information in a timely manner to the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services or to the person or agency within the department designated by the commissioner to receive such reports. c. Such report shall contain the name and address of the resident, information regarding the nature of the suspected abuse or exploitation and any other information which might be helpful in an investigation of the case and the protection of the resident. d. The name of any person who reports suspected abuse or exploitation pursuant to this section and the name of any person mentioned in such report shall not be disclosed unless the person who reported the abuse or exploitation specifically requests such disclosure or a judicial proceeding results from such report. e. Any person who reports suspected abuse or exploitation pursuant to this section or who testifies in any administrative or judicial proceeding arising from such report or testimony shall have immunity from any civil or criminal liability on account of such report or testimony, unless such person has acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose. f. Upon receiving a report that a resident of a residential health care facility, rooming house or boarding house may be suffering or may have suffered abuse or exploitation, the commissioner shall promptly notify the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly when the report involves an elderly person as defined in section 2 of P.L.1977, c. 239 (C. 52:27G-2), and shall direct the appropriate county welfare board to make a prompt and thorough evaluation of the report, or refer the report for such an evaluation by another appropriate government agency. g. The evaluation shall be based upon a visit with the resident and consultation with others who have knowledge of the particular case, and shall contain written findings and recommendations. The person who reported the suspected abuse or exploitation, the victim of the suspected abuse or exploitation, the owner of the residential health care facility, rooming house or boarding house wherein the suspected abuse or exploitation has occurred, the State agency having a regulatory responsibility for the facility, and the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly when the case involves an elderly person as defined in section 2 of P.L.1977, c. 239 (C. 52:27G-2), shall be promptly notified of such findings and recommended action. h. If a determination is made that the resident may have suffered abuse or exploitation, the commissioner shall refer such findings, in writing, to the county prosecutor. i. The commissioner shall maintain a central registry of all reports of suspected abuse or exploitation and all evaluations, findings and recommended action. No information received and compiled in such registries shall be construed to be a public record. L.1979, c. 496, s. 36.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-4 New Jersey Boarding Home Advisory Council.

1. a. There is established in, but not of, the Department of Human Services the New Jersey Boarding Home Advisory Council. The council shall consist of 14 members, to be appointed by the Commissioner of Human Services in consultation with the Commissioners of Community Affairs and Health and Senior Services, the Public Defender, the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults and the Ombudsperson for the Institutionalized Elderly, as follows: two persons who own or operate a boarding house as defined in P.L.1979, c.496 (C.55:13B-1 et al.); two persons who own or operate a residential health care facility as defined in section 1 of P.L.1953, c.212 (C.30:11A-1) or licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.); two persons who currently reside in a boarding house or a residential health care facility; one person who is a member of the organization which represents operators of boarding houses or residential health care facilities, or both; one person who represents the health care professions; one person who represents a county office on aging; one person who represents a municipal building code department; one person who represents an organization or agency which advocates for mentally ill persons in this State; one person who represents an organization or agency which advocates for physically disabled persons in this State; and two other members who shall be chosen from among persons whose work, knowledge or interest relates to boarding houses or residential health care facilities and the residents thereof, including but not limited to municipal and county elected officials, county prosecutors, social workers, and persons knowledgeable about fire prevention standards and measures needed to assure safety from structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical deficiencies in boarding houses and residential health care facilities. In addition, the Chairman of the General Assembly Standing Reference Committee on Health and Human Services and the Chairman of the Senate Standing Reference Committee on Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens or their designees shall serve as ex officio members of the council. b. The terms of office of each appointed member shall be three years, but of the members first appointed, two shall be appointed for a term of one year, five for terms of two years, and seven for terms of three years. All vacancies shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. The members of the council shall not receive any compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the council. L.1986, c.205, s.1; amended 1994, c.58, s.47; 2005, c.155, s.88; 2010, c.34, s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-5 Organization of council

a. The council shall organize as soon as may be practicable after the appointment of its members and shall select a chairman from among its members and a secretary who need not be a member of the counciL. b. The Department of Human Services shall provide the council with such legal, stenographic, clerical and technical assistance as the council may require in order to perform its duties under this act. c. The council shall meet on a quarterly basis during each calendar year, but may at the discretion of the chairman hold additional meetings as deemed necessary to carry out its duties under this act. L. 1986, c. 205, s. 2, eff. Jan. 5, 1987.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-6 Duties of council

It shall be the duty of the council: a. To make policy recommendations to the interdepartmental policy coordinating committee established pursuant to section 17 of P.L. 1979, c. 496 (C. 30:1A-2) regarding the development and coordination of licensing and enforcement standards in boarding houses and residential health care facilities and the provision of services to their residents; b. To advise the Departments of Human Services, Community Affairs, and Health regarding methods for identification of boarding houses and residential health care facilities for which no license has been issued; c. To advise the departments during the development and revision of regulations; and d. To review and comment upon proposed regulations. L. 1986, c. 205, s. 3, eff. Jan. 5, 1987.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-7 Short title.

1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "New Jersey Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program Act." L.2001,c.62,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-8 New Jersey Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program.

2. There is established in the Department of Human Services, the New Jersey Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program. The purpose of the program is to: improve the health and nutritional status of State residents in need of food assistance, supplement the efforts of emergency food programs in the State to reduce hunger, and enable families and individuals to become food secure and self-sufficient. a. The Commissioner of Human Services shall establish the program in conjunction with the regional food banks in the State. b. The goals of the program are to: (1) enhance the accessibility and availability of safe, nutritious food and food-related resources; (2) develop and provide comprehensive nutrition education programs; (3) periodically conduct assessments of the needs of persons requesting food assistance and hunger-related issues to ensure program funds are used effectively; and (4) empower persons requesting food assistance or at risk of needing food assistance to increase their independence from emergency food assistance programs. L.2001,c.62,s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-9 Grants to emergency food programs.

3. a. Within the limits of funds appropriated for the program and such other funds as are made available to the program, the program shall provide grants to emergency food programs in the State to carry out the goals of the program. An emergency food program shall submit an application for grant funds to the Department of Human Services in a form and manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Human Services. The commissioner, in consultation with the Hunger Prevention Advisory Committee established pursuant to section 4 of this act, shall award grants to emergency food programs that: (1) address an unmet need for emergency food services; (2) offer services that meet the goals of the program, particularly with respect to providing nutrition education services to persons in the service area of the emergency food program; (3) provide for referral or outreach services to other public and private social services programs that serve the emergency food program's target population; (4) demonstrate culturally competent services, including recognizing food preferences and traditions of the community, that are appropriate to the target population of the emergency food program; and (5) demonstrate an ability to document how the grant funds are used and to meet the reporting requirements of the program. b. In addition to considering the criteria for awarding grants provided in subsection a. of this section, upon completion of the needs assessment conducted pursuant to section 5 of this act, the commissioner and advisory committee shall take into consideration the findings of the needs assessment in determining how grant funds shall be allocated in the State. c. Grant recipients shall report quarterly to the Department of Human Services on the use of the grant funds, including the number of persons served by the emergency food program, the type of services received and such other information as required by the commissioner. L.2001,c.62,s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-10 Hunger Prevention Advisory Committee.

4. There is established a 13-member Hunger Prevention Advisory Committee in the Department of Human Services. The advisory committee shall assist the Commissioner of Human Services in the implementation of the New Jersey Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program established pursuant to this act and shall oversee the needs assessment that shall be conducted pursuant to section 5 of this act. a. The advisory committee shall consist of: (1) the Secretary of Agriculture, the Commissioner of Human Services, and the Commissioner of Community Affairs, or their designees, who shall serve ex officio; and (2) 10 public members appointed by the Governor who shall include: two representatives of emergency food programs in the State; two representatives of programs serving homeless individuals in the State; the Executive Directors of the County Welfare Directors Association of New Jersey, the Municipal Welfare Association of New Jersey and the Association for Children of New Jersey, or their designees; a nutritionist; and two members of the public who are knowledgeable about emergency food programs. The public members other than the executive directors shall serve during the term of office of the Governor who shall have appointed them, at the pleasure of that Governor. b. Vacancies in the membership of the committee shall be filled in the same manner provided for the original appointments. c. The committee shall organize as soon as practicable following the appointment of its members and shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among the members. The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the committee. d. The committee shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county or municipal department, board, bureau, commission or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes. L.2001,c.62,s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-11 Statewide needs assessment.

5. The Commissioner of Human Services shall contract with Rutgers, the State University to conduct a Statewide needs assessment to: a. identify and quantify, at all steps in the State's food delivery system, wholesome and nutritious food that goes to waste before it can be made available to those in need of such food; b. identify and quantify the need for emergency or supplemental feeding for families and individuals in the State; c. identify strategies and structures for minimizing spoilage of food resources; d. develop a fiscally judicious plan to secure food from loss to deterioration or waste and to transport and apportion that food to emergency feeding programs throughout the State; e. develop strategies for behaviorally focused educational outreach with at-risk families and individuals; and f. analyze nutritional sufficiencies and deficiencies in existing emergency food programs and develop solutions to generating nutritionally complete, culturally acceptable diets. L.2001,c.62,s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-12 Annual report to Governor, Legislature.

6. The Commissioner of Human Services shall report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on the activities of the program. The report shall include a listing of the grants awarded under the program, the number of persons served through the grants and such other information as the commissioner deems appropriate. L.2001,c.62,s.6.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-12.1 "Anti-Hunger Link" to be established, maintained on all executive department websites.

1. a. The State Chief Technology Officer of the New Jersey Office of Information Technology, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture, shall establish and maintain an "Anti-Hunger Link" on the official website of every State executive department. The link shall direct the website user to a dedicated Internet webpage that lists all of the emergency food programs in the State, including, but not limited to, emergency meal providers, food pantries, soup kitchens, child and senior feeding programs, faith-based anti-hunger initiatives, and other food programs. b. The State Chief Technology Officer of the New Jersey Office of Information Technology, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture, shall establish and maintain the dedicated emergency food program webpage described in subsection a. of this section; however, as deemed by the State Chief Technology Officer to be appropriate, in consultation with the Commissioner of Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture, the dedicated emergency food program webpage may be established, hosted, and maintained by a nonprofit organization, pursuant to an agreement that is entered into between the Department of the Treasury and the nonprofit organization. c. The "Anti-Hunger Link" and dedicated emergency food program webpage established under this section shall be regularly updated, on a schedule to be determined by the State Chief Technology Officer. L.2019, c.90.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-13 List of State-owned properties available for use as residential treatment facility for certain individuals.

2. The Commissioner of Human Services, in conjunction with the State Treasurer, shall prepare and maintain a list of all available State-owned properties that would be suitable for use as housing for adults with mental illness, or children or adults with developmental disabilities. The list shall include: the location of the property; the general condition of the property, including whether the property is available for immediate occupancy; and the square footage of the property including, if available or applicable, the size of potential sleeping areas, eating areas and kitchen space, recreational space, and classroom space. The commissioner shall provide the list to nonprofit and for-profit agencies and organizations that provide or intend to provide housing for adults with mental illness or children or adults with developmental disabilities, upon request of the agency or organization and when the State is provided notice, either verbally or in writing, that the agency or organization is relocating. L.2007,c.76,s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-14 Division of Aging Services established.

398. a. There is established the Division of Aging Services in the Department of Human Services. b. The functions, powers, and duties of the Department of Health and Senior Services, redesignated as the Department of Health pursuant to section 93 of P.L.2012, c.17 (C.26:1A-2.1), to the extent that they relate to the provision of programs or services for senior citizens, including the New Jersey State Commission on Aging established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1957, c.72 (C.26:1A-107), the Division on Aging and Community Services, and any other division relating to senior benefits, are transferred to the Division of Aging Services, subject to the provisions of P.L.2012, c.17 (C.26:1A-2.1 et al.) and in accordance with the "State Agency Transfer Act," P.L.1971, c.375 (C.52:14D-1 et seq.). c. All appropriations and other monies available, and to become available, that relate to the provision of programs or services for senior citizens are continued in the Division of Aging Services and shall be available for the objects and purposes for which these monies are appropriated, subject to the provisions of P.L.2012, c.17 (C.26:1A-2.1 et al.) and any other terms, restrictions, limitations, or other requirements imposed by law. d. The administrator and head of the office shall be a director who shall be known as the Director of the Division of Aging Services. The director shall be a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office and shall devote his entire time to the performance of those duties. The director shall be appointed by the commissioner. e. The commissioner shall appoint and remove officers and employees of the division subject to the provisions of Title 11A of the New Jersey Statutes and other applicable statutes as are necessary to enable the division to perform its duties pursuant to this act and shall fix their compensation within the limits of available appropriations and as is provided by law. f. Whenever, in any law, rule, regulation, order, contract, document, judicial or administrative proceeding or otherwise, reference is made to the Division on Aging in either the Department of State, the Department of Community Affairs, or the Department of Health and Senior Services, the same shall mean and refer to the Division of Aging Services in the Department of Human Services. L.2012, c.17, s.398.

N.J. Stat. § 30:1A-15 "Senior Save Navigator Grant Program" established.

6. a. There is established in the Department of Human Services a "Senior Save Navigator Grant Program" to promote awareness of, and to assist applicants with the submission of, the NJSave application, as well as to support an applicant's enrollment in the programs accessible through the NJSave application, including the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" program established pursuant to P.L.1975, c.194 (C.30:4D-20 et seq.) and the "Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program" established pursuant to P.L.2001, c.96 (C.30:4D-43 et seq.). b. Via a process and method determined by the Commissioner of Human Services, the Senior Save Navigator Grant Program shall fund the recruitment, training, and cost of Senior Save Navigators. Senior Save Navigators shall conduct outreach and assist residents in completing the NJSave application, and provide residents information about programs available through the NJSave application for which they may be eligible. L.2023, c.79, s.6.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026