Revises law concerning patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences, and clinical laboratories.*

S 3952 amends New Jersey law to strengthen penalties for improper payments related to patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences (sober living homes), and clinical laboratories. It elevates violations from a fourth-degree to a third-degree crime, imposing an automatic $50,000 fine for anyone - including health care providers, facilities, non-profits, or recovery residences - who makes or receives payments tied to referrals based on patient volume, treatment duration, or insurance benefits. The bill explicitly clarifies that payments not varying by these factors remain permitted. This law takes effect immediately and directly affects entities involved in referring patients to substance use disorder treatment services.