Requires DHS to develop enhanced training curriculum for direct support professionals.

A4261

ASSEMBLY, No. 4261

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� SHANIQUE SPEIGHT

District 29 (Essex and Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

���� Requires DHS to develop enhanced training curriculum
for direct support professionals.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
concerning direct support professionals and
supplementing Title 30 of the Revised Statutes.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.� a. �As used in this act:

���� "Direct support
professional" means any licensee and any full time, part time, temporary
employment services, or contract employee at a community residence for persons
with developmental disabilities present in the living or program area who works
directly with individuals served. �

���� b. �Within 120 days following
the effective date of this act, the Department of Human Services shall
establish an enhanced training curriculum that shall be completed by an
individual within 90 days of the commencement of his or her employment as a
direct support professional, or in the case of an individual who was employed
as a direct support professional on or before the effective date of this act,
within 210 days of the effective date of this act.� The training curriculum
shall include, at a minimum:

���� (1) �training on the
prevention of abuse and neglect;

���� (2) �first aid training;

���� (3) �cardio-pulmonary
resuscitation training;

���� (4) �medication administration
training;

���� (5) �facility policies and
procedures;

���� (6) �feeding techniques and
nutrition training, as necessary;

���� (7) �resident mobility
procedures, as necessary;�

���� (8) �care for individuals with
seizure disorders, as necessary;

���� (9) �care for persons with
disabilities, including multiple sclerosis, as necessary; and

���� (10) �care for persons with
behavioral and mental health needs, as necessary.

���� 2. �The Commissioner of Human
Services may adopt rules and regulations, in accordance with the
�Administrative Procedure Act,� P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), if
necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.

���� 3. �This act shall take effect
immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill requires Department
of Human Services to develop an enhanced training curriculum for direct support
professionals.

���� Under the bill, within 120
days of the bill�s effective date, the Department of Human Services is to
establish a training curriculum that is to be completed by an individual within
90 days of the commencement of his or her employment as a direct support professional,
or in the case of an individual who was employed as a direct support
professional on or before the bill�s effective date, within 210 days of the
bill�s effective date.�

���� The training curriculum is to
include, at a minimum:� 1) training on the prevention of abuse and neglect; 2)
first aid training; 3) cardio-pulmonary resuscitation training; 4) medication
administration training; 5) facility policies and procedures; 6) feeding
techniques and nutrition training, as necessary; 7) resident mobility
procedures, as necessary; 8) care for individuals with seizure disorders, as
necessary; 9) care for persons with disabilities, including multiple sclerosis,
as necessary; and 10) care for persons with behavioral and mental health needs,
as necessary.