On April 7, a New Jersey bill cleared both the state Assembly and Senate unanimously.

[Read the bill, called SB157, here].

The legislation has yet to be signed by Gov. Chris Christie, though it sits on his desk.

More about the bill, from the Bergen Dispatch:

The bill would create an 11-member task force that would be required to evaluate current policies that are designed to protect older adults and persons with disabilities from instances of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation; identify any existing circumstances that might allow for the inadequate protection of this population; and develop recommendations for more effective and efficient legislation, policies, and strategies.

Task force members would serve without compensation, but could be reimbursed for travel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the task force for its purposes. The bill would also authorize the task force to solicit and receive grants and other funds that are made available for the task force’s purposes.

Within 12 months after the organizational meeting, the task force would be required to submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature containing its findings and recommendations for legislative and other action that may be necessary to address and prevent the abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of older adults and persons with disabilities.

Who would sit on the task force? Here’s the sprawling list:

The task force would consist of the following members: the Commissioners of Health and Human Services, the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly, and the President of the New Jersey State Municipal Prosecutors’ Association, or their designees, who would serve ex officio; the State Director of the AARP; a representative from Adult Protective Services in the Division of Aging Services in the Department of Human Services; and five public members having relevant knowledge of, or experience in, matters related to the abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of older adults or persons with disabilities. Three public members would be appointed by the Governor, one public member would be appointed by the Senate President, and one public member would be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly.

The Assembly version of the bill is called A-1120.