Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) released the following statement on Governor Christie’s conditional veto of “Stephen Komninos’ Law,” her bipartisan bill to improve accountability and transparency at the 2,340 group homes, developmental centers and day programs statewide.

Sen. Jennifer Beck said that she will accept Governor Christie’s recommended revisions to her bill, “Stephen Komninos’ Law,” which protects people with developmental disabilities from abuse and neglect at group homes and other types of care facilities. (SenateNJ)

Senator Beck thanked Tom Komninos, Aileen Rivera, Martha Cray, Gus Egizi, Senate President Sweeney, and all those who have advocated for this legislation over the past seven years.

“The advocates and I are ready and willing to accept Governor Christie’s recommended revisions to Stephen Komninos’ Law,” Senator Beck said. “I believe that our lifesaving legislation is so strong, that it could serve as a national model. This was a hard-won victory and I am grateful to the families and Senate President Sweeney for working with me to get this done.”

“When the Stephen Komninos bill becomes law, it will provide protections that currently do not exist for our most vulnerable citizens, and it will establish a strong foundation for future improvements,” advocates Tom Komninos, Aileen Rivera, Martha Cray, and Gus Egizi said.

“We have long-held that the state has a certain responsibility to protect people with developmental disabilities from abuse, neglect and exploitation. No one should ever have to endure the horrors that Stephen went through,” Senator Beck added. “The law we have named in his memory will establish a comprehensive set of checks and balances to ensure that every resident at every facility in New Jersey is safe and receiving the proper care. I look forward to seeing the concurrence pass both houses of the Legislature with full, bipartisan support.”