ASSEMBLY, No. 5139

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 16, 2024

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  SHANIQUE SPEIGHT

District 29 (Essex and Hudson)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires DHS to develop enhanced training curriculum for direct support professionals.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act concerning direct support professionals and supplementing Title 30 of the Revised Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.  a. As used in this act:

     "Direct support professional" means any licensee and any full time, part time, temporary employment services, or contract employee at a community residence for persons with developmental disabilities present in the living or program area who works directly with individuals served.  

     b. Within 120 days following the effective date of this act, the Department of Human Services shall establish an enhanced training curriculum that shall be completed by an individual within 90 days of the commencement of his or her employment as a direct support professional, or in the case of an individual who was employed as a direct support professional on or before the effective date of this act, within 210 days of the effective date of this act.  The training curriculum shall include, at a minimum:

     (1) training on the prevention of abuse and neglect;

     (2) first aid training;

     (3) cardio-pulmonary resuscitation training;

     (4) medication administration training;

     (5) facility policies and procedures;

     (6) feeding techniques and nutrition training, as necessary;

     (7) resident mobility procedures, as necessary;  

     (8) care for individuals with seizure disorders, as necessary;

     (9) care for persons with disabilities, including multiple sclerosis, as necessary; and

     (10) care for persons with behavioral and mental health needs, as necessary.

 

     2. The Commissioner of Human Services may adopt rules and regulations, in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), if necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.

 

     3. This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill requires Department of Human Services to develop an enhanced training curriculum for direct support professionals.

     Under the bill, within 120 days of the bill’s effective date, the Department of Human Services is to establish a training curriculum that is to be completed by an individual within 90 days of the commencement of his or her employment as a direct support professional, or in the case of an individual who was employed as a direct support professional on or before the bill’s effective date, within 210 days of the bill’s effective date. 

     The training curriculum is to include, at a minimum:  1) training on the prevention of abuse and neglect; 2) first aid training; 3) cardio-pulmonary resuscitation training; 4) medication administration training; 5) facility policies and procedures; 6) feeding techniques and nutrition training, as necessary; 7) resident mobility procedures, as necessary; 8) care for individuals with seizure disorders, as necessary; 9) care for persons with disabilities, including multiple sclerosis, as necessary; and 10) care for persons with behavioral and mental health needs, as necessary.