9:6-8.76 - Task force membership

9:6-8.76  Task force membership.

3.The task force shall consist of  30 members as follows:  the Commissioners of Human Services, Children and Families, Education, Community Affairs, Corrections, and Health and Senior Services, the Attorney General, two judges of the Superior Court involved in both civil and criminal court proceedings related to child abuse and neglect as appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Public Defender, the Child Advocate and the Superintendent of State Police, or their designees, as ex officio members; two members of the Senate and the General Assembly, respectively, no more than one of whom in each case shall be of the same political party; and a county prosecutor appointed by the Attorney General. The 13 public members  shall be appointed by the Governor as follows:  one member who is a director of a regional diagnostic and treatment center for child abuse and neglect; one member who represents the Association for Children of New Jersey; one member who represents Foster and Adoptive Family Services; one member who represents a faith-based organization; one member who is a director of a county department of human services; one member who is a youth 21 years of age or younger who is or has been placed under the care and custody of the Division of Youth and Family Services because of an allegation of child abuse or neglect; two members who represent service providers under contract with the Division of Youth and Family Services; and five members of the public who have an interest or expertise in issues concerning child welfare.  The public members shall reflect the diversity of the residents of the State and the children and families served by the State's child welfare system. 

The task force membership shall comply with the multidisciplinary requirements set forth in the "Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act," Pub.L.93-247 (42 U.S.C. s.5101 et seq.). 

The task force shall be co-chaired, one co-chair shall be the Commissioner of Children and Families and the other shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.  The second co-chair shall be selected from among the public members and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.  The public members shall serve for a term of three years.

L.1994, c.119, s.3; amended 2005, c.155, s.107; 2006, c.47, s.56; 2009, c.29.