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County of Mercer, NJ
 
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Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (3) Index
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Mercer County as Ch. 2.27 of the 2003 Mercer County Code (Ord. No. 85-8; amended in its entirety by Ord. No. 90-12). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[Pursuant to P.L. 2020, c. 67, effective 1-1-2021, the Code of Mercer County has been amended to delete the term “Board of Chosen Freeholders” and replace it with the term “Board of County Commissioners.” In addition, the terms “Freeholder” and “Chosen Freeholder” have been deleted and replaced by the term “County Commissioner.”]
[Amended by Ord. No. 93-16]
There is created the Mercer County Commission on Abused, Neglected and Missing Children within the Department of Human Services.
[Amended by Ord. No. 93-16]
The Commission on Abused, Neglected and Missing Children shall address the problems of child abuse and missing children in the County.
The Commission's activities shall include, but not be limited to:
A. 
Arranging for educational programs on the issue of child abuse for parents and children;
B. 
Providing information concerning the available services in the County and in the state for abused children and their parents;
C. 
Providing information concerning the available services in the County and in the state for parents of missing children;
D. 
Coordinating the provision of services and programs concerning child abuse and missing children that are offered in the County and neighboring counties;
E. 
Identifying the gaps within the present service system and cause the development of programs and services to fill the identified gaps.
The Commission shall create no less than three working task forces in the areas of service coordination, public education and legal issues. Each task force shall consist of a maximum of 10 members appointed by the Commission, and may include Commission members themselves and shall serve for a term of three years. Each task force has the primary responsibility of developing a plan pursuant to the activities charged to the Commission. The Commission will assign to each task force the particular activities to be developed. Each task force shall present their progress and/or plan to the Commission at each Commission meeting. Based on the report of the task force, the Commission shall further approve the plan or request additional development from the task force.
The Mercer County Commission on Abused, Neglected and Missing Children shall consist of 13 members who shall be appointed by the County Executive with the advice and consent of the Board of County Commissioners.
A. 
The members shall include:
(1) 
Six members who shall serve by virtue of their office:
(a) 
One being the County Prosecutor;
(b) 
One being the County Sheriff;
(c) 
One being the County Superintendent of Schools;
(d) 
One being the County Director of Human Services;
(e) 
One being the County Superior Court Judge who presides over child abuse cases;
(f) 
One being the State DYFS District Office Manager;
(2) 
Seven members of which shall include at least one representative from the following:
(a) 
Media;
(b) 
Medical profession;
(c) 
Child care service provider;
B. 
Terms.
(1) 
Initial appointment for terms for the eight members shall be as follows:
(a) 
Two shall be appointed for terms of two years;
(b) 
Three shall be appointed for terms of three years;
(c) 
Three shall be appointed for terms of four years;
(2) 
All appointments shall be made for terms of four years after initial appointments;
A vacancy in the membership occurring other than through expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment but for the unexpired term only.
The Commission shall meet as soon as practical following the appointment of its members and shall elect a Chairman from among its members and establish procedures for the conduct of regular and special meetings in accordance with Open Public Meetings Act.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.
[Amended by Ord. No. 93-16]
A. 
No action of the Mercer County Commission on Abused, Neglected and Missing Children shall be binding upon the Mercer County Board of County Commissioners and the County Executive.
B. 
No recommendation of the Mercer County Commission on Abused, Neglected and Missing Children shall create a financial obligation on the part of the Mercer County governing body unless and until that body has approved the creation of a financial obligation in the manner provided by law.
The Commissioner shall report at least biannually to the Mercer County Board of Commissioners and the County Executive as to the progress made by the Commission in pursuit of the goals established within this chapter.