The Division of Family Health Services in the Public Health Services Branch of the Department of Health and Senior Services, in consultation with the Departments of Education, Human Services, and Children and Families, is proposing new rules at N.J.A.C. 8:17 to implement the State Early Intervention System, in accordance with the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  The proposal appears in the September 4, 2007 issue of the New Jersey Register.

Pursuant to 34 CFR 303.110, 111, and 112, the Department will convene three public hearings on the proposed new rules.  Persons planning to testify at the public hearing who wish to be placed on the list of speakers are requested to telephone Ms. Khalifa at (609) 777-7734 by Thursday, October 4, 2007, and to identify the session they plan to attend.  The Department requests that persons who testify bring an extra written copy of their remarks to the hearing for submission to the public record.  Each public hearing session shall commence at 4:00 pm and conclude at 7:00 pm, on the following dates and at the following locations:

Session 1: Tuesday, October 9, 2007, Johnson Auditorium,

St. Joseph's Children's Hospital

703 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07503

Session 2: Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Holiday Inn

399 Monmouth Street

East Windsor, NJ 08520

Session 3: Thursday, October 11, 2007

Clarion Hotel and Conference Center

1450 Route 70 East

Cherry Hill, NJ 08034

The public has until November 3, 2007 to comment on the proposal.  Persons wishing to comment on the proposal must submit their comments in writing to Nashon Hornsby, Procedural Safeguards Coordinator, NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, Public Health Services Branch, Division of Family Health Services, PO Box 364, Trenton, NJ 08625-0364.  Written comments on the proposal must be postmarked on or before November 3, 2007, which is the close of the 60-day public comment period.