N.J. Assembly panel approves bill to improve investigation of child abuse claims

N.J. Assembly panel approves bill to improve investigation of child abuse claims

Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats and designed to help improve state investigations of child abuse and neglect allegations was unanimously approved Thursday by the lower house’s Human Services Committee.

The measure (A-4109) was acted on after the committee heard testimony from the federal monitor overseeing the state’s child welfare reform efforts. Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) called the hearing in an effort to improve the investigation of child abuse or neglect allegations after the monitor’s December report raised continued concern about the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS).