This bill (A 947) requires New Jersey's Department of Health to create a public awareness campaign and develop policies for recognizing and treating perinatal anxiety - a condition affecting approximately 6% of pregnant women and 10% of postpartum women. It mandates that healthcare providers screen all pregnant and postpartum patients for perinatal anxiety during prenatal visits (at least once per trimester), before discharge after birth, and at early postnatal check-ups, using the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) or an approved alternative. Providers must also give patients and their families clear information about symptoms, coping strategies, and treatment resources. The bill directly affects pregnant and postpartum women, their healthcare providers, and birthing facilities across New Jersey.
This bill grants patients with developmental disabilities in New Jersey hospitals the right to have a designated family member, guardian, direct support professional (DSP), or other caregiver accompany them throughout their entire hospital stay. Hospitals must provide an opportunity to make this designation at admission and document it in the medical record, with changes allowed upon 1-hour notice. The right does not apply during active surgery if the caregiver's presence would endanger the patient. It directly affects patients with developmental disabilities, their designated caregivers, and New Jersey hospitals. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to survey all antenatal and prenatal care clinics across the state - including those that have closed or reduced services in the past two years - to evaluate maternity care access and quality. The survey will collect data on clinic availability, service gaps (particularly for low- and moderate-income pregnant women), and demographic information about patients, while excluding personal health details. The DOH must analyze the data to identify disparities in care based on income or location and develop strategies to improve access and quality. Within 18 months, the DOH will publish findings online and submit a report to the legislature with recommendations for policy action.
This bill requires the president of every public college or university in New Jersey to create a menstrual equity plan. The plan must outline how the institution will provide free menstrual products to students and staff, including estimates of need, distribution locations, costs, and a timeline for full implementation within 12 months. Once developed, the plan must be submitted to the institution's governing body, the Governor, and the Legislature. The law defines menstrual equity as ensuring equal access to menstrual hygiene products while reducing stigma around menstruation.
This New Jersey bill requires the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) to create and publish an online guide for healthcare facilities. It directly affects facilities like community mental health centers, substance use treatment programs, and federally qualified health centers that seek licensure for integrated care services. The guide must clearly explain the steps and rules needed for facilities to: (1) provide integrated health care (coordinating general and behavioral health services), (2) add behavioral health or substance use treatment to existing primary care licenses, and (3) contact assigned department staff for help. The bill defines "integrated health care" as systematically coordinating general and behavioral health services to address issues like mental illness, substance use, and chronic conditions.
This bill automatically qualifies primary caregivers of minor children for New Jersey's Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP), provided they meet all other eligibility criteria. It requires county agencies to approve up to 40 hours per week of services - based on a needs assessment - without additional review for these applicants. The change expands the existing program, which previously required case-by-case evaluations for caregivers, to ensure immediate access to support for parents needing help with daily tasks like bathing, meal preparation, and mobility. This policy directly affects parents with permanent physical disabilities who are primary caregivers of children.
S 2243 requires every public college and university in New Jersey to create a menstrual equity task force within six months of the law's effective date. The task force, appointed by each institution's president and including diverse campus stakeholders (students, faculty, housing, health centers, etc.), must develop a detailed plan for free menstrual product access within six months. The plan must cover product needs, distribution locations, costs, and a 12-month implementation timeline. Institutions must implement the approved plan within one year, ensuring equal access to menstrual products while reducing stigma. The bill defines "menstrual equity" as removing barriers to care and addressing stigma around menstruation.
New Jersey would join the Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA), allowing EMTs, paramedics, and other licensed emergency medical personnel to work across state lines more easily. The bill directly affects EMS professionals seeking to practice in multiple states by enabling mutual recognition of licenses between participating states. Key provisions require member states to immediately recognize licenses from other compact states and share information about disciplinary actions against license holders. This streamlines cross-state emergency response while maintaining oversight through shared accountability measures.
This bill (A 2202) establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey to provide Medicaid coverage for remote maternal health services to eligible pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries. It would cover specific remote services including remote monitoring of health data (like blood pressure or glucose levels), remote non-stress tests, and tele-ultrasound, all delivered securely via digital technology. Eligibility includes beneficiaries with high-risk pregnancy factors (such as pre-existing conditions, age, or lifestyle factors) or those facing access barriers like lack of local providers, transportation, or childcare, but participation requires a provider referral and remains voluntary. The program depends on federal reimbursement and must comply with HIPAA and FDA regulations for data security and device approval.
This bill requires New Jersey's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to add specific memory care training to their annual long-term care training program within one year. The training must cover the needs and rights of residents with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, including methods to address their unique challenges. If the ombudsman's program does not include this training by the deadline, they must report to the legislature explaining the delay and steps to implement it. The bill directly affects the ombudsman's program, long-term care facility staff, and residents with memory-related conditions.
