New agreement on NJ ‘return home’ policy

New Jersey Senate leaders have reached a deal with Gov. Chris Christie to allow people with developmental disabilities to remain in out-of-state facilities if they or their guardians choose.

Senate President Steve Sweeney, a Democrat, and GOP Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. joined Democratic Sen. Bob Gordon and Republican Christopher “Kip” Bateman to announce the compromise on Monday.

The current “return home” program calls for New Jersey residents who have developmental disabilities and who live in other states’ facilities to return to New Jersey.

Lawmakers said they’ve heard from families that the policy is disruptive for their loved ones and in some cases other states’ facilities are better than New Jersey’s.

A message to Christie’s office was not immediately returned.