New Jersey § 30:1aa-20

§ 30:1aa-20.

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.