ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, No. 399

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 16, 1996

      The Assembly Community Services Committee reports favorably an Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bill No. 399.

      This committee substitute amends P.L.1993, c.249 (C.52:27D-409) by making the reporting of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult mandatory instead of permissive. Under the provisions of the substitute, any person who has reasonable cause to believe that a person 18 years of age or older who resides in a community setting, and who, because of a physical or mental illness, disability or deficiency, lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make, communicate, or carry out decisions concerning his well-being and is the subject of abuse, neglect or exploitation is required to report the information to a county adult protective services provider.