On June 30, 2010, Governor Chris Christie signed P.L. 2010, Chapter 24, which officially abolished the Department of the Public Advocate and transferred certain functions, powers and duties to other state Departments.

As a result of this, the Department’s divisions of Public Interest Advocacy, the Commissioner’s Office, the Office of Citizen Relations and the Division of Developmental Disability Advocacy were eliminated.

The Division of Mental Health Advocacy was transferred to the Office of the Public Defender. To reach this office please call 609-292-1780.

The Office of Dispute Settlement was transferred to the Office of the Public Defender. To reach the Office of Dispute Settlement, please call 609-292-1773

The Division of Rate Counsel is now in, but independent of, the Department of the Treasury. To reach Rate Counsel, please call 973-648-2690.

The Office of the Corrections Ombudsman is now in, but independent of, the Department of the Treasury. To reach the Corrections Ombudsman please call 609-633-2596.

The Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly and the Division of Elder Advocacy are now in, but independent of, the Department of the Treasury. To reach either of these offices, please call 609-826-5090. The Ombudsman complaint line number is 1-877-582-6995.

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