NJ A6137

Creates an independent Justice Center for the Protection of Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities within (but not controlled by) the Department of Law and Public Safety, headed by a Governor-appointed director confirmed by the Senate

Transfers all abuse, neglect, and exploitation investigation functions and staff from the Department of Human Services and Department of Children and Families to the Justice Center, which will also house the Central Registry of Offenders Against Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Establishes two separate units within the Justice Center: a criminal investigations unit with prosecutorial powers and a civil investigations unit for non-criminal matters, each headed by a Governor-appointed deputy director

Requires investigations to be completed within 90 days with written reports issued within 30 days of completion, and mandates the Justice Center develop training curricula, codes of conduct for direct care staff, and uniform safety procedures

Creates an 11-member Justice Center Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Medical Review Board to investigate deaths of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities that appear to result from other than natural causes