N.J. Lawmakers OK Bill Giving Legislature Power to Block Closings of Institutions

TRENTON, N.J. — In a rebuke to the Christie administration’s proposal to close the Garrett W. Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital in Glen Gardner, an Assembly committee Thursday voted to give the Legislature the authority to block the demise of any state institution serving disabled patients.
The Assembly Human Services Committee voted 6-2 with one abstention to approve a bill (A2880) requiring state Human Services officials to provide information allowing lawmakers "to review and consider the reasons for the decision and its impact on residents and employees of the facility," if there are more than 100 full-time workers. If the Legislature disagrees with any proposed closing, it could void the governor’s decision.
Committee Chairwoman and bill sponsor Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) said the intent is to force the administration to share the information it uses to make decisions about facilities and the vulnerable people who live in them.
"Every person suffering from mental illness or a developmental disability has a unique set of circumstances. We cannot employ a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to providing the services they need," Huttle said.