Brain Injury Lawyer

New Jersey education officials would be required to inspect schools attended by disabled children outside New Jersey every three years under a bill unanimously approved by an Assembly panel yesterday.

"Billy's Law", is named after Billy Albanese of Brooklyn, a 33-year-old man living with a traumatic brain injury who attended Bancroft Neurohealth in Haddonfield from 1992 to 1997. Left unsupervised in his wheelchair on several occasions, Albanese suffered three falls and required a total of 40 stitches on his face and head, according to his father, Vito Albanese.

Assemblyman William Payne (D-Essex County), one of the bill's sponsors, told the Assemby Education Committee that, "New Jersey simply does not have sufficient beds for placement, so it is necessary to have a directory of those facilities around the country that are suitable for the placement of our citizens".

The bill (A3625) would require the Department of Education:

- To keep and post online a registry of approved out-of-state schools and residential facilities serving children in special education programs;

- Inspect or hire someone to inspect out-of-state facilities prior to placing them on the register, with follow-up reinspections every three years;

- Notify officials in the Attorney General's Office and the divisions of Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health Services, and Youth and Family Services that a facility is on the registry and give them 20 days to challenge or comment on the selection;

- Negotiate a process with other states to ensure that New Jersey is apprised of inspection violations and reports of mistreatment;

- Compile a report within two years analyzing the cost of developing more in-state special education residential programs.

You can read more about Billy's Law here.

I learned about this last nite when I was watching the Nov 2 meeting with the city council on education.I have been teaching special education in NYC and this story touched my heart. These things should not happen. Keep me posted and let me know I can be of help in this mission, and yes I do remember Willowbrook, thanks