The Assembly Health Committee passed a bill on Mar. 9 to ensure that hospital patients with developmental disabilities in New Jersey can be accompanied by a parent, guardian, direct support professional, or other caregiver during their stay.
The measure aims to address concerns about communication and informed consent for individuals with developmental disabilities when they are hospitalized. Supporters say the presence of a trusted person can help these patients understand medical information and advocate for their best interests.
“People with developmental disabilities often require assistance understanding complex medical information and may have very limited communication abilities, which raises concerns about informed consent for treatment or even receiving a proper diagnosis. A guardian or another trusted member of the person’s care team can help health care providers effectively and ethically address these issues,” said Assemblyman Al Barlas (R-Essex), a prime sponsor of the bill. “This bill will ensure all New Jersey hospital policies explicitly permit patients with developmental disabilities to have a support person present who can advocate on behalf of their best interests.”
The legislation, known as A2259, allows a patient with developmental disabilities or their parent to designate a family member or another caregiver to remain in the same room as the patient throughout hospitalization, except during surgical procedures. Currently, hospitals are required to protect general patient rights but there is no specific law guaranteeing that people with developmental disabilities may have a designated support person present during hospital stays.
John DiMaio has been involved in state government since joining the General Assembly in 2009 and has served as Minority Leader since 2022 according to the official legislative roster. DiMaio represents District 23, which includes areas such as Hackettstown according to the official legislative roster. He previously served as mayor of Hackettstown from 1991 to 1999 and was part of the Warren County Board of Freeholders from 2000 to 2009 according to the official legislative roster. DiMaio also held roles such as Appropriations Officer from 2012 to 2017 and Budget Officer from 2018 to 2019 in the General Assembly as per the official legislative roster.
Supporters believe this legislation could improve outcomes for patients with developmental disabilities by ensuring they receive appropriate advocacy and support while hospitalized.
