30:1AA-20 "Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Violence Against Persons with Developmental Disabilities."

1. a. There is established, within the Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services, the "Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Violence Against Persons with Developmental Disabilities."

b. The task force shall consist of 19 members, as follows:

(1) The Commissioners of Human Services, Children and Families, and Health, and the State Attorney General, or their designees, who shall serve ex officio; and

(2) 15 public members, including:

(a) a representative of Disability Rights New Jersey;

(b) a representative of the Arc of New Jersey;

(c) a representative of the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network;

(d) a representative of the New Jersey Statewide Independent Living Council;

(e) a representative of the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault;

(f) a representative of Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey;

(g) a representative of the New Jersey Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers;

(h) a representative of the New Jersey Children's Alliance;

(i) a representative of the New Jersey Association of Pupil Services Administrators;

(j) a representative of a county office of Adult Protective Services; and

(k) five residents of this State who have demonstrated expertise or interest in issues related to the work of the task force, including at least one person with a developmental disability who is a survivor of sexual violence; and at least one parent or guardian of a person with a developmental disability.

Of the 15 public members appointed to the task force, five shall be appointed by the Governor, five shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, and five shall be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly.

c. Each public member of the task force shall serve for a term of three years, except that, of the members first appointed, five shall serve for a term of one year, five shall serve for a term of two years, and five shall serve for a term of three years. Each member shall serve for the term of appointment, and until their successor is appointed and qualified. A public member who has completed his or her term of membership may be reappointed to the task force, as deemed by the Governor to be appropriate. Vacancies in the task force membership shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made.

d. The members of the task force shall be appointed within 60 days after the effective date of this act, and the task force shall hold its initial organizational meeting as soon as practicable, but no later than 30 days, after the appointment of a majority of its members. The Commissioner of Human Services, or a designee, shall serve as chairperson of the task force, and the task force shall meet and hold hearings at such places and times as the chairperson may designate. The chairperson may 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. The task force may conduct business, but shall not adopt recommendations, without a quorum.

e. Members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the task force for its purposes.

f. The Department of Human Services shall provide professional, stenographic, and clerical staff to the task force, as may be necessary for the task force to carry out its duties. The task force shall also be entitled to call upon the services of any State, county, or municipal department, board, commission, or agency, as may be available to it for its purposes.

g. In executing its duties under this act, the task force shall consult with the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities; the Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families; employees of the Department of Children and Families who work on child protection matters; employees of the Department of Human Services who work on adult protection matters; employees of the Department of Law and Public Safety, and officers of local and State police forces, who are involved in the investigation of sexual violence perpetrated against persons with developmental disabilities; prosecutors and other attorneys in the State who have experience in representing and advocating on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities, particularly those who are victims of a crime; and any other departments, agencies, associations, organizations, or individuals who are knowledgeable about, or who have experience with, the issues that are of relevance to the work of the task force.

h. The task force may solicit and receive grants or other funds that are made available for its purposes by any governmental, public, private, not-for-profit, or for-profit agency, including funds that are made available under any federal or State law, regulation, or program.

L.2019, c.262, s.1.