reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-2.4 - New Jersey Child Welfare Training Academy.

30:4C-2.4 New Jersey Child Welfare Training Academy.
4. a. There is established the New Jersey Child Welfare Training Academy in the Department of Children and Families for the purpose of providing a training program to meet the needs of the child welfare system Statewide. The training program shall provide:
(1) pre-service and in-service training for public employees of the child welfare system;
(2) training opportunities for community-based entities and other child welfare system stakeholders as designated by the commissioner; and
(3) pre-service and in-service training for resource families.
b. The academy shall be responsible for developing and managing the training activities provided under this program, for which purpose it shall:
(1) administer, coordinate and evaluate all training activities under the program;
(2) seek to partner with social work and other professionals to ensure that the training provided under the program reflects best practices;
(3) develop training curricula, resources and products;
(4) schedule and provide notice of training events and provide training materials for those events;
(5) employ and compensate training event instructors as necessary;
(6) create mechanisms and processes to assess, identify and monitor training needs for public employees of the child welfare system, including competency-based training;
(7) create mechanisms and processes to evaluate the effectiveness of the training provided under the program;
(8) provide for the development of multimedia training tools to inform, educate and train public agency staff, resource families and others in the child welfare system;
(9) determine the minimum number of pre-service and in-service training hours required of, and ensure the availability of sufficient training opportunities for, public agency staff Statewide; and
(10) conduct any other activities necessary to develop, implement and manage the training program.
c. The training provided to resource families pursuant to this section shall include courses in the role of caregivers as part of the care and treatment of children requiring out-of-home placement. A resource family parent shall be required to complete the number of hours of pre-service and in-service training prescribed under the training program as a condition of licensure under P.L.2001, c.419 (C.30:4C-27.3 et seq.).
L.2004, c.130, s.4; amended 2006, c.47, s.115.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-2.5 - Rules, regulations.

30:4C-2.5 Rules, regulations.
126. The Commissioner of Children and Families, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.
L.2004, c.130, s.126; amended 2006, c.47, s.116.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-3 - Duties of Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

30:4C-3 Duties of Division of Child Protection and Permanency.
3. The Division of Child Protection and Permanency, in administering the provisions of P.L.1951, c.138 (C.30:4C-1 et seq.), whereby the safety of children shall be of paramount concern, shall:
(a) provide care and custody for children eligible therefor in such manner that the children may, so far as practicable, continue to live in their own homes and family life be thereby preserved and strengthened;
(b) provide necessary welfare services as may be required by such children, so far as practicable, without assumption of custody;
(c) encourage the development of private and voluntary agencies qualified to provide welfare services for children to the end that through cooperative effort the need for such services may be limited or reduced; and
(d) for each child placed outside his home by the division, provide permanency through return of the child to the child's own home, if the child can be returned home without endangering the child's health or safety; through adoption, if family reunification is not possible; or through an alternative permanent placement, if termination of parental rights is not appropriate.
L.1951, c.138, s.3; amended 1962, c.197, s.9; 1999, c.53, s.21; 2012, c.16, s.55.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-3a - Child protection worker caseload, limits, exceptions, temporary.

30:4C-3a Child protection worker caseload, limits, exceptions, temporary.
2. a. The Commissioner of Children and Families shall ensure that no child protection worker is concurrently responsible for more than 15 cases at any time, unless the commissioner determines that assignment of cases in excess of this limit is temporarily necessary to ensure the life and safety of any child under the care and supervision of the Department of Children and Families.
b. If the average daily caseload of child protection workers exceeds 15 cases per worker for two consecutive months, the department shall be considered non-compliant with caseload standards established pursuant to this section. In such circumstances, the department shall:
(1) within 14 days of initial non-compliance under this subsection, deliver to the Governor, the Staffing and Oversight Review Subcommittee of the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect established pursuant to subsection c. of section 2 of P.L.1994, c.119 (C.9:6-8.75), and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), the Legislature, notice of the non-compliance and a summary of emergent efforts being made to rectify the non-compliance; and
(2) post, on a monthly basis, on the department's Internet website, the average daily Statewide caseload of child protection workers, until such time as the average daily caseload has been maintained at 15 or fewer cases per worker for 30 days.
c. As used in this section, "child protection worker" means an employee of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency or the Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit in the Department of Children and Families, or any other agency or successor agency conducting child abuse investigations pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1971, c.437 (C.9:6-8.11) or providing child protective services pursuant to P.L.1951, c.138 (C.30:4C-1 et seq.).
L.2022, c.130, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-3.7 - Photographing, fingerprinting of child under custody of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

30:4C-3.7 Photographing, fingerprinting of child under custody of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency.
1. a. The Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families shall provide for the photographing of each child under its custody no later than two months after the division assumes custody of the child. A child who is under the custody of the division on the effective date of P.L.2003, c.40 (C.30:4C-3.7 et seq.) shall be photographed for the purposes of P.L.2003, c.40 no later than one year after its effective date.
The division shall, in addition, provide for the fingerprinting of any child under its custody with respect to whom the division determines, in accordance with criteria as the Commissioner of Children and Families shall establish by regulation, that the availability of a fingerprint record would be appropriate; the fingerprints of any child with respect to whom such a determination is made shall be taken no later than two months after the division has made that determination.
b. The division shall update the photograph of each child taken pursuant to subsection a. of this section at least every two years. In addition, the division shall retain the fingerprint information and photograph of each child for whom such records are taken for at least one year after the date that the child is no longer under the custody of the division.
c. The division shall be entitled to receive the assistance of any other State department, division, or agency as it may deem necessary and may receive the assistance of any county or municipal government agency, as may be available, in carrying out the provisions of P.L.2003, c.40.
L.2003, c.40, s.1; amended 2006, c.47, s.117; 2012, c.16, s.56.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-3.8 - Rules, regulations.

30:4C-3.8 Rules, regulations.
2. The Commissioner of Children and Families, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this act.
L.2003, c.40, s.2; amended 2003, c.47, s.118.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-4 - Powers of Department of Children and Families.

30:4C-4 Powers of Department of Children and Families.
4. The Department of Children and Families shall have the requisite powers to:
(a) Exercise general supervision over children for whom care, custody or guardianship is provided in accordance with Article II of this act;
(b) Administer the powers and duties provided in chapter 3 of Title 9 of the Revised Statutes (Adoption), as amended and supplemented, as the same may be delegated and assigned by the department;
(c) Administer the powers and duties as provided in chapter 7 of Title 9 of the Revised Statutes (dependent children; bringing into State), as amended and supplemented, as the same may be delegated and assigned by the commissioner;
(d) Administer the powers and duties provided in R.S.30:1-14 through 30:1-17 of chapter 1 of Title 30 of the Revised Statutes (visitation and inspection), as amended and supplemented with respect to institutions, organizations,and noninstitutional agencies for the care, custody, and welfare of children;
(e) Provide care and exercise supervision over children paroled or released from State correctional institutions for juveniles in accordance with rules and regulations;
(f) Make investigations or provide supervision of any child in this State at the request and on behalf of a public or private agency or institution of any other State;
(g) Meet and confer, as the unmet needs of New Jersey's children may require, with representatives of the public welfare boards and the private agencies and institutions for the care of children in this State in order that the programs of such boards, agencies, and institutions may be developed and fully utilized and that there may be a coordination of all public and private facilities for the protection and care of children;
(h) Issue such reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary for the purpose of carrying into effect the meaning of this act, which rules and regulations shall be binding so far as they are consistent with such purpose;
(i) Promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary as a basis for the provision for payment for services rendered by privately sponsored agencies or institutions to children under the care, custody or guardianship of the division. Such rules and regulations shall include, but shall not be limited to, standards of professional training, experience and practices, and requirements relating to the moral responsibility of the trustees, officers or other persons supervising or conducting the program, the adequacy of the facilities, the maintenance of adequate casework records, and the furnishing of comprehensive reports;
(j) Enter into written agreements with public, private or voluntary agencies to provide maintenance, related services, and youth facility aid to such agencies, subject to a preaward qualification review of the agency's fiscal and programmatic abilities and periodic reviews.
L.1951, c.138, s.4; amended 1962, c.197, ss.10,49; 1979, c.309, s.3; 2004, c.130, s.49; 2006, c.47, s.119; 2013, c.253, s.15.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-4.1 - Consent and approval of actions or proceedings.

30:4C-4.1 Consent and approval of actions or proceedings.
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, no action or proceeding, including an application for a writ of habeas corpus, in any court which the Division of Child Protection and Permanency is authorized by law to commence or maintain shall be commenced or maintained by the division, without the consent and approval of the Commissioner of Children and Families, as hereinafter provided.
L.1962, c.140, s.1; amended 1964, c.102, s.18; 2006, c.47, s.120; 2012, c.16, s.57.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-4.2 - Consent, approval of commissioner.

30:4C-4.2 Consent, approval of commissioner.
2. In no case shall the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, defend against any action or proceeding or make or oppose any application for a writ of habeas corpus without the express consent and approval of the Commissioner of Children and Families.
L.1962, c.140, s.2; amended 1964, c.102, s.19; 2006, c.47, s.121; 2012, c.16, s.58.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-4.3 - Copies of rules and regulations; certification of consent and approval

30:4C-4.3. Copies of rules and regulations; certification of consent and approval
The Commissioner of the Department of Institutions and Agencies shall cause a copy of every rule or regulation and a certification of every consent and approval issued or granted by the State Board of Control of Institutions and Agencies or the Commissioner of the Department of Institutions and Agencies pursuant to the provisions of this act to be given to the Attorney General and to the Deputy Attorney General assigned to the Department of Institutions and Agencies.
L.1962, c. 140, s. 3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-4.5 - Provision of services for alcoholism, substance abuse for certain persons; interagency agreement; rules, regulations.

30:4C-4.5 Provision of services for alcoholism, substance abuse for certain persons; interagency agreement; rules, regulations.
159. a. Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, commencing on or after the effective date of P.L.2012, c.16 (C.52:27D-43.9a et al.) and subject to the provisions of subsection b. of this section, the Division of Children's System of Care in the Department of Children and Families, in lieu of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services, shall provide, manage, and coordinate services for the treatment of substance use disorder for persons under 21 years of age, deemed clinically and functionally appropriate by the Department of Children and Families, as limited by service availability and appropriations and other monies available, and to become available, except that, as agreed to by the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Human Services pursuant to subsection b. of this section, the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services may continue to exclusively provide, manage, and coordinate programs and services designed primarily for adults 18 years of age or older, including, but not limited to, services provided pursuant to R.S.39:4-50 and the Drug Courts of this State.
b. The Commissioner of Human Services and the Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioners' designees, shall establish and enter into an inter-agency agreement as necessary for the purposes of subsection a. of this section.
c. The Commissioners of Human Services and Children and Families, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt, notwithstanding any provision of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to the contrary, immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law, such rules and regulations as the Commissioners deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of section 159 of P.L.2012, c.16 (C.30:4C-4.5), which shall be effective for a period not to exceed 12 months following the effective date of P.L.2012, c.16 (C.52:27D-43.9a et al.). The regulations shall thereafter be amended, adopted, or readopted by the commissioners in accordance with the provisions of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).
d. Whenever any current law, rule, regulation, or order pertaining to the treatment of substance use disorder for persons under 21 years of age refers to the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services, the same shall mean and refer to the Division of Children's System of Care in the Department of Children and Families, except where the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services continues to exclusively provide, manage, and coordinate programs and services consistent with this section.
L.2012, c.16, s.159; amended 2023, c.177, s.97.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-4.6 - Definitions; Division of Children's System of Care, training program, emergency homeless shelter employees.

30:4C-4.6 Definitions; Division of Children's System of Care, training program, emergency homeless shelter employees.
1. a. As used in this section:
"Division" means the Division of Children's System of Care in the Department of Children and Families.
"Emergency shelter for the homeless" means a building or structure in which a public entity or a private, nonprofit organization provides shelter, or food and shelter, to individuals and families having neither a home nor the means to obtain a home or other temporary lodging.
b. (1) The Division of Children's System of Care shall establish a training program for the purpose of educating employees of an emergency shelter of the homeless on:
(a) the services provided by the division, including, but not limited to, mobile response and stabilization, care management services, family support, and other therapeutic and support services for youth with emotional and behavioral challenges, substance use challenges, and intellectual and development disabilities; and
(b) how to assist parents and youth in accessing the services provided by the division outlined in subparagraph (a) of paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(2) The training program shall be made available to employees of an emergency shelter for the homeless in a manner determined by the division, and shall be updated on a regular basis as may be appropriate.
c. As part of the training program established pursuant to subsection b. of this section, the division shall:
(1) develop educational and informational materials concerning the services offered by the division for youth with emotional and behavioral challenges, substance use challenges, and intellectual and development disabilities; and
(2) make available to the public on the division's Internet website, both in print, via a Department of Children and Families publication order form that can be submitted from the website, and in a digital format that can be easily printed from the website, the information contained in educational and informational materials developed pursuant to this subsection, and update this information as necessary.
L.2023, c.53.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-6 - Recipients of payments not deemed paupers; certain treatments permitted.

30:4C-6 Recipients of payments not deemed paupers; certain treatments permitted.
6. No person to whom or for whom payments for maintenance are made under P.L.1951, c.138 (C.30:4C-1 et seq.) shall be deemed to be or classified as a pauper by reason thereof.
The provisions of P.L.1951, c.138 shall not be construed to deny treatment by spiritual means or prayer, of any child, in accordance with the religious faith of the parent or parents of such child. The provisions of P.L.1951, c.138 shall not be construed to authorize or empower the Division of Child Protection and Permanency to compel a child to undergo medical or surgical treatment, if the child, or parent or guardian of the child, objects thereto in a signed statement upon the ground that the proposed action interferes with the free exercise of his religious principles.
L.1951, c.138, s.6; amended 1956, c.44, s.1; 1962, c.197, s.12; 2012, c.16, s.59.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-7 - Issuance of certain certificates free of charge.

30:4C-7 Issuance of certain certificates free of charge.
7. All birth, death, and marriage certificates which may be required under the provisions of P.L.1951, c.138 (C.30:4C-1 et seq.), or under any rule or regulation issued by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, shall be issued free of charge upon the order of the division.
L.1951, c.138, s.7; amended 1962, c.197, s.13; 2012, c.16, s.60.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-8 - Payments for maintenance exempt from tax

30:4C-8. Payments for maintenance exempt from tax
All amounts paid for maintenance under the provisions of this act, except such amounts as are paid for medical, dental and hospital care, shall be exempt from any tax levied by the State or by any subdivision thereof.
L.1951, c. 138, p. 578, s. 8.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-9 - Orders of commitment or grants of assistance previously made and other previous actions not affected

30:4C-9. Orders of commitment or grants of assistance previously made and other previous actions not affected
The provisions of this act shall not be construed to terminate, alter or affect any order of commitment or grant of assistance heretofore made under any law relating to the State Board of Child Welfare or the State Board of Children's Guardians, such order or grant being in effect as of the effective date of this act.
Any action heretofore taken by the State Board of Child Welfare or the State Board of Children's Guardians pursuant to any law of this State, or any rule or regulation of the said State Board of Child Welfare or the State Board of Children's Guardians, shall remain in full force and effect until altered, amended or revoked by the State Board of Child Welfare pursuant to its powers and duties as now or hereafter established. Any legal agreement, contract or obligation previously entered into by the State Board of Child Welfare or the State Board of Children's Guardians shall continue in full force and effect and shall be binding upon the State Board of Child Welfare for the intents and purposes of such agreement, contract or obligation.
L.1951, c. 138, p. 578, s. 9.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-10 - Liberal construction; consistent laws not repealed

30:4C-10. Liberal construction; consistent laws not repealed
This act shall be liberally construed. Any particular grant of power contained in this act shall be held to be in specification but not in limitation of general powers.
Nothing in this act shall be construed as repealing any other law or part of any law providing for the settlement, relief, assistance and support of the poor, except in so far as inconsistent therewith; nor shall the provisions contained in this act be construed to repeal other provisions of the law not inconsistent herewith.
Nothing in this act shall operate to repeal or nullify the provisions of Title 11 of the Revised Statutes (11:1-1 et seq.).
L.1951, c. 138, p. 579, s. 10.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-11 - Application for care and custody; verification, investigation.

30:4C-11 Application for care and custody; verification, investigation.
11. Whenever it shall appear that any child within this State is of such circumstances that the child's safety or welfare will be endangered unless proper care or custody is provided, an application setting forth the facts in the case may be filed with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency by a parent or other relative of the child, by a person standing in loco parentis to the child, by a person or association or agency or public official having a special interest in the child, or by the child himself or herself, seeking that the division accept and provide care or custody of the child as the circumstances may require. The application shall be in writing, and shall contain a statement of the relationship to or special interest in the child which justifies the filing of the application. The provisions of this section shall be deemed to include an application on behalf of an unborn child when the prospective mother is within this State at the time of application for services.
Upon receipt of an application as provided in this section, the division shall verify the statements set forth in the application and shall investigate all the matters pertaining to the circumstances of the child. If upon such verification and investigation it shall appear (a) that the safety or welfare of the child will be endangered unless proper care or custody is provided; (b) that the needs of the child cannot properly be provided for by financial assistance as made available by the laws of this State; (c) that there is no person legally responsible for the support of the child whose identity and whereabouts are known and who is willing and able to provide for the care and support required by the child; and (d) that the child, if the child has a mental or physical disability requiring institutional care, is not immediately admissible to any public institution providing care; then the division may accept and provide care or custody as the circumstances of the child may require.
L.1951, c.138, s.11; amended 1962, c.197, s.14; 1991, c.275, s.1; 1999, c.53, s.22; 2012, c.16, s.61; 2017, c.131, s.116.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-11.1 - Health, safety of paramount concern in placement of child.

30:4C-11.1 Health, safety of paramount concern in placement of child.
23. a. In accordance with the provisions of subsections b., c., and d. of this section, when determining the reasonable efforts to be made and when making the reasonable efforts, the child's health and safety shall be of paramount concern.
b. In any case in which the division accepts a child in care or custody, the division shall make reasonable efforts, prior to placement, to preserve the family in order to prevent the need for removing the child from his home. After placement, the division shall make reasonable efforts to make it possible for the child to safely return to his home.
c. Reasonable efforts to place a child for adoption or with a legal guardian or in an alternative permanent placement may be made concurrently with reasonable efforts to preserve and reunify the child's family.
d. In any case in which family reunification is not the permanency plan for the child, reasonable efforts shall be made to place the child in a timely manner and to complete the steps necessary to finalize the permanent placement of the child.
L.1999,c.53,s.23.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-11.2 - Exceptions to requirement to make reasonable efforts to prevent placement of child.

30:4C-11.2 Exceptions to requirement to make reasonable efforts to prevent placement of child.
24. In any case in which the Division of Child Protection and Permanency accepts a child in care or custody, including placement, the division shall not be required to provide reasonable efforts to prevent placement of the child if a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that both of the following criteria are met:
a. One of the following actions has occurred:
(1) the parent has subjected the child to aggravated circumstances of abuse, neglect, cruelty, or abandonment,
(2) the parent has been convicted of murder, aggravated manslaughter, or manslaughter of another child of the parent; aiding or abetting, attempting, conspiring, or soliciting to commit murder, aggravated manslaughter, or manslaughter of the child or another child of the parent; committing or attempting to commit an assault that resulted, or could have resulted, in the significant bodily injury to the child or another child of the parent; or committing a similarly serious criminal act which resulted, or could have resulted, in the death or significant bodily injury to the child or another child of the parent,
(3) the rights of the parent to another of the parent's children have been involuntarily terminated or
(4) removal of the child was required due to imminent danger to the child's life, safety or health; and
b. Efforts to prevent placement were not reasonable due to risk of harm to the child's health or safety.
When determining whether reasonable efforts are required to prevent placement, the health and safety of the child shall be of paramount concern to the court.
L.1999, c.53, s.24; amended 2004, c.130, s.50; 2012, c.16, s.62.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-11.3 - Exceptions to requirement to provide reasonable efforts to reunify child with parent.

30:4C-11.3 Exceptions to requirement to provide reasonable efforts to reunify child with parent.
25. In any case in which the Division of Child Protection and Permanency accepts a child in care or custody, including placement, the division shall not be required to provide reasonable efforts to reunify the child with a parent if a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that:
a. The parent has subjected the child to aggravated circumstances of abuse, neglect, cruelty, or abandonment;
b. The parent has been convicted of murder, aggravated manslaughter, or manslaughter of another child of the parent; aiding or abetting, attempting, conspiring, or soliciting to commit murder, aggravated manslaughter or manslaughter of the child or another child of the parent; committing or attempting to commit an assault that resulted, or could have resulted, in significant bodily injury to the child or another child of the parent; or committing a similarly serious criminal act which resulted, or could have resulted, in the death of or significant bodily injury to the child or another child of the parent; or
c. The rights of the parent to another of the parent's children have been involuntarily terminated.
When determining whether reasonable efforts are required to reunify the child with the parent, the health and safety of the child and the child's need for permanency shall be of paramount concern to the court.
This section shall not be construed to prohibit the division from providing reasonable efforts to reunify the family, if the division determines that family reunification is in the child's best interests.
A permanency plan for the child may be established at the same hearing at which the court determines that reasonable efforts are not required to reunify the child with the parent, if the hearing meets all of the requirements of a permanency hearing pursuant to section 50 of P.L.1999, c.53 (C.30:4C-61.2).
L.1999, c.53, s.25; amended 2004, c.130, s.51; 2012, c.16, s.63.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-11.4 - Permanency hearing.

30:4C-11.4 Permanency hearing.
26. Any hearing held before the Family Part of the Chancery Division of the Superior Court may serve as a permanency hearing to provide judicial review and approval of a permanency plan for the child if all the requirements of section 50 of P.L.1999, c.53 (C.30:4C-61.2) are met.
L.1999,c.53,s.26.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-11.5 - Commissioner's report to Legislature, Governor.

30:4C-11.5 Commissioner's report to Legislature, Governor.
52. The Commissioner Human Services shall report to the Legislature and the Governor within 18 months of the date of enactment of this act on the implementation of the act.
L.1999,c.53,s.52.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-11.6 - Rules, regulations

30:4C-11.6 Rules, regulations
53. The Commissioner of Human Services, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this act. The commissioner shall provide an opportunity for public input in the development of the rules and regulations.
1999, c.53, ss.23-26, 52,53.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-12.1 - Search for relatives; assessment of abilities.

30:4C-12.1 Search for relatives; assessment of abilities.
6. a. In any case in which the Department of Children and Families accepts a child in its care or custody, including placement, the department shall consider placement of the child with a suitable relative or person who has a kinship relationship as defined in section 2 of P.L.2001, c.250 (C.3B:12A-2). The department shall initiate a search for relatives or persons with a kinship relationship with the child who may be willing and able to provide the care and support required by the child. The search shall be initiated within 30 days of the department's acceptance of the child in its care or custody. The search will be completed when all sources contacted have either responded to the inquiry or failed to respond within 45 days. The department shall complete an assessment of each interested relative's or person's ability to provide the care and support, including placement, required by the child.
b. If the department determines that the relative or person who has a kinship relationship with the child is unwilling or unable to assume the care of the child, the department shall not be required to re-evaluate the relative. The department shall inform the relative or person in writing of:
(1) the reasons for the department's determination;
(2) the responsibility of the relative or person to inform the department if there is a change in the circumstances upon which the determination was made;
(3) the possibility that termination of parental rights may occur if the child remains in resource family care for more than six months; and
(4) the right to seek review by the department of such determination.
c. The department may decide to pursue the termination of parental rights if the department determines that termination of parental rights is in the child's best interests.
L.1991, c.275, s.6; amended 1995, c.416, s.1; 2004, c.130, s.53; 2006, c.47, s.123; 2021, c.154, s.8.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-12.2 - Resource family parent, relative, notice; right to be heard.

30:4C-12.2 Resource family parent, relative, notice; right to be heard.
28. In any case in which the Division of Child Protection and Permanency accepts a child in its care or custody, the child's resource family parent or relative providing care for the child, as applicable, shall receive written notice of, and shall have a right to be heard at, any review or hearing held with respect to the child, but the resource family parent or relative shall not be made a party to the review or hearing solely on the basis of the notice and right to be heard.
L.1999, c.53, s.28; amended 2004, c.130, s.54; 2007, c.228, s.2; 2012, c.16, s.64.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-13 - Referral to legally responsible person or agency.

30:4C-13 Referral to legally responsible person or agency.
13. If in the course of verifying and investigating any applications or complaints, as provided for in sections 11 and 12 of P.L.1951, c.138 (C.30:4C-11 and C.30:4C-12), it shall appear that there is a person legally responsible for the support of the child who is willing and able to provide the care and support required by the child; or it shall appear that the needs of the child can properly be provided for by financial assistance as made available by the laws of this State; then, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, before accepting and providing care or custody, shall first make proper referral of the matter to such legally responsible person, or to the agency charged with the administration of such financial assistance. If it shall appear that the welfare of the child is endangered, and that such condition can be eliminated or ameliorated by making available to or for the child any one or more of whatever specific services the Division of Child Protection and Permanency may be authorized, within the limits of legislative appropriations, to provide for all children in similar circumstances, the child shall be found eligible for care or custody, and the division shall proceed to furnish the services either by direct provision or, if the division so determines in the specific case, by purchasing services from any appropriate privately sponsored agency or institution which complies with whatever rules and regulations, established pursuant to P.L.1951, c.138 (C.30:4C-1 et seq.), may govern such arrangements for purchase of service.
L.1951, c.138, s.13; amended 1962, c.197, s.16; 2012, c.16, s.65.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-14 - Notice of action taken on application.

30:4C-14 Notice of action taken on application.
14. The Division of Child Protection and Permanency shall give due notice in writing to the applicant or complainant of the action taken on any application as provided in sections 11 and 12 of P.L.1951, c.138 (C.30:4C-11 and C.30:4C-12).
L.1951, c.138, s.14; amended 1962, c.197, s.17; 2012, c.16, s.66.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-15.1a - Certain prior statements of child, admissible as evidence.

30:4C-15.1a Certain prior statements of child, admissible as evidence.
1. a. Previous statements made by a child relating to any allegations of abuse or neglect of that child shall be admissible in evidence in any hearing: to terminate parental rights pursuant to section 15 of P.L.1951, c.138 (C.30:4C-15); to provide judicial review and approval of a permanency plan pursuant to section 26 of P.L.1999, c.53 (C.30:4C-11.4); to determine care and supervision or custody pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1951, c.138 (C.30:4C-12); for guardianship pursuant to section 8 of P.L.1991, c.275 (C.30:4C-15.2); to determine placement pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1977, c.424 (C.30:4C-54); or in any other hearing that may be held during the course of child placement, permanency, or guardianship proceedings, or during the course of proceedings to terminate parental rights, pursuant to chapter 4C of Title 30 of the Revised Statutes.
b. No such statement, if uncorroborated, shall be sufficient to make a determination that termination of parental rights is in the best interests of the child, or to make a fact finding of abuse or neglect.
L.2019, c.379, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-15.2 - Final guardianship hearing

30:4C-15.2. Final guardianship hearing
8. A final hearing for guardianship shall be held within three months from the date the petition is filed with the Family Part of the Chancery Division of the Superior Court pursuant to section 15 of P.L.1951, c.138 (C.30:4C-15).
L.1991,c.275,s.8.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-15.3 - Exceptions from requirement to file petition seeking termination of parental rights.

30:4C-15.3 Exceptions from requirement to file petition seeking termination of parental rights.
31. The Division of Child Protection and Permanency shall not be required to file a petition seeking the termination of parental rights if:
a. The child is being cared for by a relative and a permanent plan for the child can be achieved without termination of parental rights;
b. The division has documented in the case plan, which shall be available for court review, a compelling reason for determining that filing the petition would not be in the best interests of the child; or
c. The division is required to provide reasonable efforts to reunify the family but the division has not provided to the family of the child, consistent with the time period in the case plan, such services as the division deems necessary for the safe return of the child to his home.
L.1999, c.53, s.31; 2012, c.16, s.67.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-15.6 - Findings, declarations relative to abandoned children

30:4C-15.6. Findings, declarations relative to abandoned children
2. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. New Jersey and the nation have experienced sorrow in the knowledge that newborn infants are sometimes abandoned in life-threatening situations and that some of these children have been harmed or have died as a consequence of their abandonment.
b. The parents of these newborn infants may be under severe emotional stress and may need a safe haven available to them and their child.
c. Anonymity, confidentiality and freedom from prosecution may encourage the parent to leave an infant safely and save the life of the infant.
d. Texas passed a law in 1999 concerning the emergency possession of certain abandoned children (Texas Family Code Section 262.301 et seq.) and measures similar to this Texas law have passed in Minnesota and Louisiana and are under consideration in more than 20 states, including California, Colorado, Kentucky and Indiana to name a few.
e. Infants at risk may be served by having this legislation in place and this legislation is worthwhile if it saves even one infant's life.
L.2000, c.58, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-15.8 - Responsibilities of division, placement of child

30:4C-15.8. Responsibilities of division, placement of child
5. The division, after assuming the care, custody and control of a child from a licensed general hospital pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2000, c.58 (C.30:4C-15.7), shall not be required to attempt to reunify the child with the child's parents. Additionally, the division shall not be required to search for relatives of the child as a placement or permanency option, or to implement other placement requirements that give preference to relatives if the division does not have information as to the identity of the child, the child's mother or the child's father. The division shall place the child with potential adoptive parents as soon as possible.
L.2000, c.58, s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-15.9 - Educational public information program, toll free hotline.

30:4C-15.9 Educational public information program, toll free hotline.
6. a. The Commissioner of Children and Families, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, shall establish an educational and public information program to promote safe placement alternatives for newborn infants, the confidentiality offered to birth parents and information regarding adoption procedures. This campaign shall include the establishment of a 24-hour, toll free hotline to assist in making information about the safe haven procedures established by P.L.2000, c.58 (C.30:4C-15.5 et al.) as widely available as possible.
b. The Department of Children and Families shall provide to licensed general hospitals in this State and State, county, or municipal police stations, fire departments, and ambulance, first aid, and rescue squads, information about relevant social service agencies which may be made available to any person voluntarily delivering a child as provided in section 4 of P.L.2000, c.58 (C.30:4C-15.7).
c. The Department of Children and Families shall notify relevant county and municipal government agencies, agencies that deliver social services administered by the Departments of Children and Families, Human Services, and Health, physicians, pregnancy crisis centers, adoption agencies, and colleges and universities about the availability of information concerning the "New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act," including the pamphlets, posters, and other materials available on the department's Internet site.
L.2000, c.58, s.6; amended 2006, c.47, s.125; 2009, c.255; 2015, c.82, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-15.10 - Rules, regulations.

30:4C-15.10 Rules, regulations.
9. The Commissioner of Children and Families, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services and pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this act.
L.2000, c.58, s.9; amended 2006, c.47, s.126.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-15.11 - Distribution of information about "New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act" to certain public school students.

30:4C-15.11 Distribution of information about "New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act" to certain public school students.
1. a. The Commissioner of Children and Families, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, shall develop a plan to distribute to all public school districts in the State with students in grades 7 through 12, pamphlets, posters and other educational materials that provide information to these students on the provisions of the "New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act," P.L.2000, c.58 (C.30:4C-15.5 et al.).
b. The Department of Children and Families shall distribute the pamphlets, posters and other educational materials, at no charge, to the school districts. The department shall update the pamphlets, posters and other educational materials as necessary, and shall make additional copies available to educators and other individuals working with public school students in grades 7 through 12.
L.2007, c.143, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-16 - Association or agency to file summary of records with petition

30:4C-16. Association or agency to file summary of records with petition
Where the petitioner under section fifteen hereof is an association or agency, such petitioner shall file with the petition a summary of its records of the case.
L.1951, c. 138, p. 581, s. 16.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-18 - Verification of petition; investigation; report of findings.

30:4C-18 Verification of petition; investigation; report of findings.
18. Immediately upon receipt of the copy of a petition served on or mailed to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency as provided by section 17 of P.L.1951, c.138 (C.30:4C-17), the division shall verify such petition and investigate all the facts pertaining to the eligibility of the child for commitment, and prior to the day set for hearing shall file with the court a report of its findings. The report shall show such facts as will assist the court in making a decision in the matter.
L.1951, c.138, s.18; amended 1962, c.197, s.20; 2012, c.16, s.70.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies › Section 30:4C-19 - Adjournments

30:4C-19. Adjournments
19. Adjournment of any hearing on a petition filed under section 15 of P.L.1951, c.138 (C.30:4C-15) shall not exceed a total period of 45 days.
L.1951,c.138,s.19; amended 1991,c.275,s.5.