U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. is developing federal legislation to create the nation’s first ombudsman for people with disabilities, much like the watchdog office he helped establish in New Jersey in 2018.

Speaking at the October meeting of the New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus, the Republican congressman said his staff “is currently working on legislation that would establish a national intellectual and developmental disabilities ombudsman,” modeled after the state's version and the existing federal long-term care ombudsman.

“My goal is to ensure that this country can have access to the help and protection that New Jersey families now have,” Kean said of the state position, created with bipartisan support when he was a member of the state Legislature.

Noelle Berriet, Kean’s communi

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