New Jersey Strengthens Inspections At Group Homes For People With Developmental Disabilities

On October 6, 2017, New Jersey adopted legislation to strengthen protections for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD); a key provision will strengthen group home inspections. The legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 516, designated as “Stephen Komninos’ Law,” also upgrades crimes committed against people with I/DD; and improves transparency and accountability in investigations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with I/DD. The law goes into effect in May 2018.

To strengthen protections for people with I/DD, SB 516 directs the Department of Human Services (DHS) to designate an advocate for people with I/DD, as . . .