S 1196 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Renames Office of Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities, creates position of deputy ombudsman, and expands duties of office.

This bill renames the Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities to the Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Disabilities, expanding its scope to support *all* individuals with disabilities (not just intellectual or developmental disabilities) and their families. It creates a deputy ombudsman position to step in during the ombudsman’s absence or when conflicts of interest arise, ensuring continuity of services. The bill also updates definitions to include a broader range of disabilities - such as physical, sensory, or mental health conditions - and clarifies the office’s duty to provide information on state and federal laws affecting all disability groups. These changes aim to make the office’s services more inclusive and accessible across New Jersey’s disability community.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jan 13, 2026
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Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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