A5314

An Act concerning social isolation in certain population groups 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. Within 180 days after the effective date of this act, and biennially thereafter, the Commissioner of Human Services shall assess and report on the nature and frequency of social isolation occurring in the State, and the resources that are available to combat social isolation. Each assessment and report shall focus on, but need not be limited to, an analysis of social isolation affecting the following vulnerable populations:

(1) individuals who are 65 years of age or older;

(2) individuals with disabilities;

(3) individuals with mental illness; and

(4) other vulnerable populations, as deemed by the commissioner to be appropriate.

b. In conducting social isolation assessments pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the commissioner shall:

(1) consult with appropriate professionals, organizations, and agencies throughout the State that provide counseling, health care, mental health care, support care, or other social or daily living assistance, to members of vulnerable populations;

(2) consult with members of vulnerable populations who are currently seeking treatment or care for social isolation, and, to the extent practicable, consult with the family members or caregivers of such individuals;

(3) review available data and research materials on social isolation, and consult with educational institutions and other educational or public interest organizations in the State, which are actively involved in the study or research of matters related to social isolation; and

(4) review the actions that have been undertaken, and the policies that have been implemented, by other states and jurisdictions to combat social isolation occurring in their communities.

c. Each report prepared under this section shall include:

(1) for each type of vulnerable population listed in subsection a. of this section, an indication of the frequency of social isolation occurring among members of that population, including the approximate number and percentage of individuals in each population who are experiencing social isolation, and the approximate number and percentage of such individuals who are susceptible to, but are not yet experiencing, social isolation;

(2) a description of the demographic and other characteristics that are held in common by the members of vulnerable populations who are experiencing, or are susceptible to, social isolation;

(3) a description of the symptoms and other indicators of social isolation;

(4) a description of the circumstantial and situational factors that contribute to social isolation;

(5) an indication of the State resources that are available to help individuals recognize, address, and recover from, social isolation, including an indication of the organizations and other entities throughout the State that provide information, counseling, or other assistance to individuals who are experiencing, or are susceptible to, social isolation, and, to the extent such information is available, the number of individuals from each vulnerable population group who have been assisted by such organizations or other entities during the reporting period;

(6) an indication of the ways in which other states and jurisdictions have addressed issues of social isolation occurring in their communities;

(7) an indication of the ways in which the available State resources for social isolation are lacking and could be improved;

(8) an analysis of trends that are evident from the data reported in this area, including a description of any significant changes in the reported data, which have occurred over time; and

(9) recommendations for legislative, executive, or other action that can be taken to: (a) prevent or redress instances of social isolation occurring in the State, particularly among vulnerable populations; and (b) otherwise improve the accessibility and effectiveness of available resources and supports for socially isolated individuals.

d. Each report prepared pursuant to this section shall be submitted to the Governor, and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature; and shall additionally be posted on the Internet website of the Department of Human Services.

e. As used in this section:

“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Human Services.

“Social isolation” means aloneness or sequestration that is not chosen or wanted; that stems from or results in the virtual absence of interaction with others, beyond those interactions that are required for the sequestered person to perform basic life functions; and that has a negative or threatening effect on the sequestered person.

“Vulnerable population” means individuals who are 65 years of age or older, individuals with disabilities, individuals with mental illness, and any other group of individuals who are deemed by the commissioner to be inherently vulnerable to social isolation, due to age, physical or mental incapacity or fragility, or other distinguishing characteristics that are held in common by all, or the majority of, the group’s members.

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill would require the Commissioner of Human Services to biennially assess and report on the nature and frequency of social isolation occurring in the State, and the resources that are available to combat social isolation. Each assessment and report will be required to focus on, but need not be limited to, an analysis of social isolation affecting the following vulnerable populations: 1) individuals who are 65 years of age or older; 2) individuals with disabilities; 3) individuals with mental illness; and 4) other vulnerable populations, as deemed by the commissioner to be appropriate.

In conducting social isolation assessments, the commissioner would be required to review available data and research materials on social isolation; review the practices of other states and jurisdictions in this area; consult with appropriate professionals, organizations, and agencies throughout the State that provide counseling, health care, mental health care, support care, or other social or daily living assistance, to members of vulnerable populations; consult with members of vulnerable populations, and the family members or caregivers of such individuals, who are currently seeking treatment or care for social isolation; and consult with educational institutions and other educational or public interest organizations in the State, which are actively involved in the study or research of matters related to social isolation.

Each report prepared under the bill would indicate: 1) the frequency of social isolation occurring among members of each vulnerable population, and the number and percentage of individuals in vulnerable populations who are susceptible, but not yet experiencing, social isolation; 2) the demographic and other characteristics that are held in common by the members of vulnerable populations who are experiencing, or are susceptible to, social isolation; 3) the symptoms and other indicators of social isolation; 4) the circumstantial and situational factors that contribute to social isolation; 5) the State resources that are available to help individuals recognize, address, and recover from, social isolation; 6) the ways in which other states and jurisdictions have addressed issues of social isolation occurring in their communities; and 7) the ways in which the available State resources for social isolation are lacking and could be improved. Each report would also be required to provide an analysis of trends in this area, and recommendations for legislative, executive, or other action that can be taken to prevent or redress instances of social isolation occurring in the State, particularly among vulnerable populations; and to otherwise improve the accessibility and effectiveness of available resources and supports for socially isolated individuals.

Each report prepared under the bill is to be filed with the Governor and Legislature, and is also to be posted on the Department of Human Services’ website.