The parents and guardians of intellectually or mentally disabled children deserve a “bill of rights” addressing the information and treatment they receive from public agencies and care providers, legislators were told at a hearing on Monday.
The “Bill of Rights for Parents of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities” was approved by the Assembly Human Service Committee after providers testified about the need to improve communication with parents.
The bill includes the right to be treated with consideration and respect; receive information necessary to make informed decisions about the care of a child; receive information in writing; receive return phone calls within a reasonable time frame; get clear information about services; participate in their child’s care; have a method of recourse if they feel their child isn’t receiving adequate and appropriate care; be free from retaliation for complaints; and be advised of laws and rules that apply to their ability to access information and participate in decisions.
The bill requires that all state case managers be provided with a copy of these rights, and that they be posted in appropriate state offices. The bill doesn’t include penalties for failure to provide the rights listed in the bill.
The bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman Angel Fuentes (D-Camden and Gloucester), said the need for such as measure was brought to his attention by The Arc of New Jersey, an organization that advocates for community participation and inclusion for the developmentally disabled and provides services to this population.
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