30:1AA-9.1 Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families.

1. a. There is established in but not of the Department of the Treasury the Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families. For the purpose of complying with the provisions of Article V, Section IV, paragraph 1 of the New Jersey Constitution, the Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families is hereby allocated within the Department of the Treasury, but notwithstanding this allocation, the office shall be independent of any supervision or control by the department or any board or officer thereof, or any other cabinet-level department, board, or officer thereof. The purpose of the ombudsman is to serve as a resource to provide information and support to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families.

b. The Governor shall appoint an Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and their Families, who shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office. The ombudsman shall be a person of recognized judgment, integrity, and objectivity, and shall be skilled in communication, conflict resolution, and professionalism.

c. The ombudsman shall organize and direct the work of the office, including the work of such professional and clerical staff as may be necessary to carry out the ombudsman's duties.

L.2017, c.269, s.1.