We’re asking the NJ State Senate, New Jersey State Legislators to Pass  “Billy Cray’s Law” Bill A2483/S1897 (previously A4013/S3301) The proposed law requires adult group homes to give residents the choice to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas, and allows the use of consensual electronic monitoring devices in their private rooms.​

William “Billy” Cray, son of Martha and Stu Cray, was found dead in his bedroom closet of the group home where he resided. Billy was the age of 33. The night before his death, he was on the phone singing and talking with his mother.   Billy, who has lived in different residential facilities since he was 10, has been subject to many incidents of sexual and physical assaults.

This bill can provide families the option to use cameras to keep their adult child with disabilities safe from harm. Individuals with a high level of trust for others who care for them, have been verbally, physically, sexually abused, and in Billy Cray’s case and many others: unexplainable death. Needless to say, this bill also protects the staff in the case of any false accusations.

This bill awaits action by the Assembly and the Senate.

In Collaboration with Martha Cray, Aileen Rivera and Tom Komninos introduced on February 14, 2022.

Primary Sponsor:
DePhillips, Christopher P.
Caputo, Ralph R.
Matsikoudis, Michele

Co-Sponsor:
Carter, Linda S.
Barranco, Christian E.
Kean, Sean T.
Clifton, Robert D.
Dunn, Aura K.
Chaparro, Annette
Bergen, Brian
McCarthy Patrick, Bethanne
Sawyer, Beth

We are urging the Senate to post-hearing dates for S1897 introduced on March 3, 2022.

Primary Sponsor:
Durr, Edward
Singer, Robert W.

Co-Sponsor:
Corrado, Kristin M.
Codey, Richard J.
Gopal, Vin
Cryan, Joseph P.
Diegnan, Patrick J., Jr.
Stanfield, Jean
Bucco, Anthony M.
Thompson, Samuel D.

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* https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/A2483  / https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/S1897 Requires certain group homes to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas, upon request and with uniform resident consent, and to permit consensual use of such devices in private rooms.

* https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2016/Bills/S1000/516_I1.HTM Stephen Komninos Law. “ Provides protection for individuals with developmental disabilities through accountability and transparency; designated as "Stephen Komninos' Law."