A billthat would create a new oversight board at New Jersey's three veterans homes, where 204 have died from COVID-19, took its first step forward Monday when an Assembly committee approved it.
During an emotional hourlong hearing on the measure, several victims' family members voiced support for the new board, which would do everything from recommending standards of care to reviewing reported violations, complaints and investigations.
"Whatever is in place is broken," said Lisa Tonery, whose father, John Verducci, died at the Menlo Park home in April.
The Paramus and Menlo Park homes have some of the highest death tolls in the nation among nursing homes.