NJ S4996

Creates an independent Justice Center for the Protection of Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities within the Department of Law and Public Safety to centralize investigations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in State-licensed or -operated residential and day habilitation programs

Establishes two separate units headed by deputy directors: one for criminal investigations with prosecutorial powers, and one for civil investigations with authority to issue findings and recommendations

Transfers all employees and appropriations related to investigating abuse, neglect, or exploitation of individuals with IDD from the Department of Human Services and Department of Children and Families to the Justice Center

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

Requires investigations to be completed within 90 days with written reports issued within 30 days of completion, and mandates the director to establish codes of conduct for direct care staff and training curricula on identifying and reporting abuse