Expands Information and Referral Services helpline in Division of Disability Services; appropriates $100,000.

A5282

ASSEMBLY, No. 5282

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED JUNE 15, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� HEATHER SIMMONS

District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)

SYNOPSIS

���� Expands Information and Referral Services helpline in
Division of Disability Services; appropriates $100,000.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act

expanding the Information and Referral Services
helpline in the Division of Disability Services, supplementing Title 26 of the
Revised Statutes, and making an appropriation.

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

���� 1.� a.�
The Division of
Disability Services in the Department of Human Services shall expand its
Information and Referral Services helpline to support individuals in planning
visits to State or county public facilities by coordinating necessary
accommodations for in-person appointments or engagements. �The staff of the
expanded helpline shall:

���� (1) provide information on
what State and county public facilities have installed disability ramps and
assist in navigating and connecting individuals to sign language interpreters,
hearing loop technology, and other accessibility aids that are available at
such facilities;

���� (2) provide information on
policies related to service animals;

���� (3) address questions or
complaints concerning accessibility challenges; and

���� (4) offer guidance for
planning visits, navigating public spaces, and understanding rights and
available resources.

���� b.� State and county public
facilities shall designate an existing office to oversee visit accommodations
arranged through the hotline. �Designated offices will be accessible to hotline
staff to assist with the on-site coordination of requested disability
accommodations.� The contact information for the designated offices shall also
be made publicly available.

���� c.� The Division of Disability
Services shall consult with State and county agencies to determine what
information and assistance would be necessary to provide on the expanded
helpline, as well as to develop strategies for publicizing the helpline to
ensure that individuals who require access to State and county public
facilities are aware of and can utilize the service effectively.

����
2.� There is
appropriated $100,000 to the Division of Disability Services to implement the
provisions of this act.

���� 3.� This act shall take effect
on the first day of the sixth month next following the date of the enactment.

STATEMENT

���� This bill expands the
Information and Referral Services helpline in the Division of Disability
Services and makes an appropriation.� There is appropriated $100,000 to the
Division of Disability Services to implement the provisions of this bill. �The
expanded helpline will ensure that all persons, regardless of ability, have
equal access to State and county public facilities.�
The helpline will support individuals
in planning visits to State and county public facilities by coordinating
necessary accommodations for in-person appointments or engagements.�
The
Division of Disability Services shall consult with State and county agencies to
determine what information and assistance would be necessary to provide on the
expanded helpline.