Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SHAVONDA E. SUMTER
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Assemblywoman MICHELE MATSIKOUDIS
District 21 (Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Flynn, Peterpaul, Assemblyman Karabinchak and Assemblywoman Morales
SYNOPSIS
Establishes Task Force on Aging in New Jersey in DOH.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee on February 13, 2025, with amendments.
An Act establishing the Task Force on Aging in New Jersey and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. There is established in the Department of Health the Task Force on Aging in New Jersey. The purpose of the task 1force1 shall be to study the State resources available for older residents of the State and to identify, prioritize, 1and1 make 1[recommendation] recommendations1 on ways to improve the services needed to support an aging population so that individuals may grow old with dignity and independence.
b. The task force shall consist of 17 members, including:
(1) the Commissioner of Health, the Commissioner of Human Services, the Public Guardian, and the New Jersey Long Term Care Ombudsman, or their designees, who shall serve ex-officio;
(2) two public members appointed by the Governor based upon the recommendation of the President of the Senate, including one member who represents an organization that advocates for the aging community and one member who represents an organization or agency that provides programs or services to senior citizens;
(3) two public members to be appointed by the Governor based upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the General Assembly, including one member who represents an organization that advocates for the aging community and one member who represents an organization or agency that provides programs or services to senior citizens; and
(4) nine public members appointed by the Governor who shall include: a representative of the New Jersey Association of Area Agencies on Aging; a representative of the New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well; a representative of the AARP; a representative of the New Jersey Elder Rights Coalition; a representative of the Center for 1[Health] Healthy1 Aging 1Research1 at Rutgers University; a physician who has been specially trained in caring for elderly persons and has a certificate of added qualifications in geriatrics; an individual who is 65 years of age or older who lives in a long-term care facility; an individual who is 65 years of age or older living at home; and a caregiver of an individual who is 65 years of age or older 1.1
c. The public members of the task force shall serve for a term of three years, except that of the initial appointments, four public members shall serve for one year, five public members shall serve for two years, and 1[five] four1 public members shall serve for three years. Vacancies in the membership of the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made. Members are eligible for reappointment to the task force.
d. The Commissioner of Health, or a designee, shall serve as chairperson of the task force. The task force shall meet at the call of the chairperson. The task force shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the task force. The task force, in its discretion, may divide its membership into subcommittees in the course of carrying out its duties.
e. Members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the task force within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the task force for its purposes.
f. The Department of Health shall provide such stenographic, clerical, other administrative assistants, and such professional staff as the task force requires to carry out its work.
g. The task force 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 for its purposes.
2. a. The duties of the task force shall be to:
(1) review all policies, procedures, programs, and practices relating to the provision of services to the older residents of New Jersey by State, county, and municipal agencies and for community-based organizations;
(2) study, analyze, and monitor information and data collected by State agencies and community-based 1[organization] organizations1 relating to the aging 1[processes] process1 and the needs of the older residents of New Jersey 1;1
(3) examine State activities, processes, and strategies that support family caregivers of older adults;
(4) evaluate State policies and procedures that support quality of care in long-term care facilities;
(5) establish an educational program to inform senior citizens about consumer rights, social isolation and loneliness, elder abuse, elder theft and scams, the availability of affordable, quality housing options, transportation services, and other issues that affect the quality of life of older New Jerseyans; and
(6) ensure all State policies relating to aging are inclusive of race, gender, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and other characteristics that reflect the State’s population.
b. The task force shall issue a report of its recommendations to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), no later than 18 months after the organization of the task force. The task force shall issue reports of any new or updated recommendations on a biennial basis.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.