NJ Settles Suit Over Developmentally Disabled

New Jersey is planning to move 600 developmentally disabled adults out of big institutions and into group homes under a legal settlement.

Gov. Chris Christie announced the settlement Tuesday during his budget address.

Since he has been in office, Christie has sided with advocates for the disabled who say that many would be better off in different kinds of homes. But his effort to shut down the Vineland Developmental Center two years ago was blocked.

The advocacy group Disability Rights New Jersey filed lawsuits in 2005 and 2008 to try to deinstitutionalize people who do not need to be in the centers.

Group executive director Joe Young says the state has agreed to settle both suits and move 600 people out of institutions within five years.

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