State of New Jersey
Executive Order #30

Governor James J. Florio

Continued by Executive Order #18 Whitman.

WHEREAS, on May 24, 1984, Executive Order No. 72 created a Governor's Council on the Prevention of Mental Retardation, a body composed of Commissioners of various State departments and of concerned citizens who have distinguished records in the area of mental retardation and developmental disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Public Law 1987, Chapter 5, was enacted on January 20, 1987, establishing a permanent Office for Prevention of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services; and

WHEREAS, the Governor's Council on the Prevention of Mental Retardation was renamed The Governor's Council on the Prevention of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities by Executive Order No. 178 on July 30, 1987; and

WHEREAS, the Governor's Council on the Prevention of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities serves as an Advisory Council to the Office for the Prevention of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and to the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services; and

WHEREAS, the Governor's Council on the Prevention of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities is an essential component of the Office for the Prevention of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and should continue to serve as an advisory council; and

WHEREAS, the Governor's Council on the Prevention of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities lapsed on December 31, 1990;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM FLORIO, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in my by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The Governor's Council on the Prevention of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities is hereby re-established for a period of three years, expiring on December 31, 1993.

a. The Council shall consist of no more than 25 public members appointed by the Governor. The members shall be appointed from among persons representing people with disabilities, professionals in mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and persons from the business and health communities.

b. The Commissioners from the Departments of Human Services, Education, Health, Environmental Protection, the Public Advocate, Community Affairs, and/or their designees, shall serve on the Council.

c. The public members shall serve for a term of three years, except that of those first appointed, eight shall serve for a term of one year, eight shall serve for a term of two years and the remainder shall serve for a term of three years. Council vacancies among the public members shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the remainder of the unexpired term.

d. The Governor shall designate the Chairperson of the Council from among members of the Council. The Chairperson of the Council shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

e. The Council may further organize itself in any manner it deems appropriate and may enact by-laws as deemed necessary to carry forth its responsibilities.

2. The Governor's Council on the Prevention of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities shall:

a. Advise the Commissioners of the Departments of Human Services, Health, Education, Environmental Protection, the Public Advocate, and Community Affairs and the Office for Prevention of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services regarding the priorities for prevention in the State;

b. Mobilize citizens and community agencies to support prevention- related activities;

c. Develop mechanisms to facilitate early detection;

d. Foster cooperative working relationships among responsible agencies; and

e. Provide other information on prevention as the Governor may request.

3. The Council, in performing its charges, shall consult with existing agencies for planning, coordination and delivery of prevention services to families at the State, county, and local levels.

4. The Departments of Human Services, Education, Health, Environmental Protection, the Public Advocate and Community Affairs are authorized and directed, to the extent consistent with the law, to cooperate with the Council and to furnish it with resources necessary to carry out its purpose under this Order.

5. This Order shall take effect immediately and shall expire on December 31, 1993.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this
15th day of April in the Year of Our
Lord, one thousand nine hundred and
ninety-one, and of the Independence
of the United States, the two hundred
and fifteenth.

/s/
James J. Florio
GOVERNOR

Attest:

/s/
Andrew Weber
Chief Counsel to the Governor