Re: Fw: FYI from Corzine

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Fw: FYI from Corzine

Dear Stakeholder: Today, Governor Jon Corzine signed 2 pieces of legislation with relevance to your organization. The Department of Human Service s recognizes the interest you have in monitoring the status of legislation that affects persons with physical and developmental disabilities. Feel free to forward this information, as appropriate: The first measure, [ http://www.njleg. state.nj. us/2008/Bills/ A1000/839_ T1.HTM ]A-839, requires wheelchair securement and occupant securement devices for wheel chaired passengers. The new law, which takes effect immediately, has two provisions. The driver of a passenger automobile shall secure or cause to be secured any wheel chaired passenger in a properly adjusted and fastened wheelchair securement and occupant securement device. The

securement devices shall be in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. For the purposes of this act, the term "passenger automobile" shall include vans, pick-up trucks, and utility vehicles. A person who violates this act shall be fined $100. In no case shall motor vehicl e points or automobile insurance eligibility points pursuant to section 26 of P.L.1990, c.8 (C.17:33B-14) be assessed against any person for a violation of this act. A person who is fined under this section for a violation of this act shall not be subject to a surcharge under the New Jersey Merit Rating Plan as provided in section 6 of P.L.1983, c.65 (C.17:29A-35) . The second measure, [ http://www.njleg. state.nj. us/2008/Bills/ A2000/1908_ R1.HTM ]A-1908, requires the Departments of Health & Senior Services

and Human Services to establish autism and intellectual and other developmental disabilities awareness training for certain first responders. The terms of the statute, which take effect on April 1, 2009, are such that: The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services and the Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with the New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute and the New Jersey State F irst Aid Council, shall develop a training curriculum with the purpose of informing emergency responders of the risks associated with autism or an intellectual or other developmental disability, as well as providing instruction in appropriate recognition and response techniques concerning these disabilities. The curriculum shall be incorporated into existing time requirements for training and continuing education of emergency responders. Prior to certification by the Department of Health

and Senior Services, each emergency medical technician trained in basic life support services as defined in section 1 of P.L.1985, c.351 (C.26:2K-21) shall be required to satisfactorily complete the training developed under subsection a. of this section. Every emergency medical technician certified prior to the effective date of this act shall, within 36 months of the effective date of this act, satisfactorily complete the training in recognit ion and response techniques concerning these disabilities, through existing continuing education requirements. The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to effectuate the purposes of this act.