Also tonight, New Jersey is entering into a federal consent decree to resolve claims the state violated the Constitution by failing to keep residents of its veterans home safe.

The proposed consent decree with the DOJ's Civil Rights Division and the US Attorney's Office for New Jersey requires the state to meet new specific standards for patient care, along with overhauling practices for infection control and emergency operations.

The proposal also asks the court to appoint an independent monitor to make sure the state is following the consent decree.

And to add a layer of accountability.

It comes after investigations launched by the U.S. Attorney's Office in October of 2020, found the state failed its residents at the state run New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes, Menlo Park and Paramus.

During the pandemic, the homes had among the highest number of reported deaths during the first wave of the coronavirus.

The consent decree now goes for approval from the courts.