Healthcare

passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 2551: Allows law enforcement agencies to distribute epinephrine to officers; requires training.

This bill, "Anthony Maruca’s Law," requires New Jersey law enforcement officers who have access to epinephrine auto-injectors to complete approved training on emergency administration. It allows police departments to provide these devices to officers for use during official duties, storing them in vehicles or medical kits per health department guidelines. The law directly affects officers employed by police departments and mandates certification of training completion for those using the devices. Key provisions include the training requirement and authorization for departments to maintain the injectors, with no new funding or cost mandates specified.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables law enforcement to administer epinephrine during emergencies, improving acute medical response access for allergic reactions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 3023: Provides certain protections to residents of long-term care facilities and long-term acute care hospitals.

S 3023 protects residents of long-term care facilities (like nursing homes and assisted living facilities) and long-term acute care hospitals by preventing facility staff, owners, or financially benefiting parties from managing residents' finances or serving as their legal representatives. It requires facilities to use standardized admission forms developed by the Department of Health, with input from stakeholders, and prohibits residents from signing non-standard documents during admission. The bill also gives residents a legal right to sue if facilities violate these protections, allowing recovery of damages, attorney fees, and punitive penalties for financial exploitation. These changes directly affect residents, their families, and facility operators by creating new safeguards against financial abuse during admission and care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents financial exploitation of residents in care facilities and standardizes admissions, protecting patient rights and safety in healthcare settings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 1583: Provides access to periodic cancer screening examinations for volunteer firefighters through SHBP physicians and other providers.

New Jersey's S 1583 requires free cancer screenings every three years for volunteer firefighters through the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) network. The screenings cover 11 specific cancers (including colon, lung, prostate, and breast) with no out-of-pocket costs for firefighters. Physicians providing these screenings can be reimbursed up to $1,250 per three-year period by the state, and fire districts must maintain records to facilitate payment. This extends an existing benefit for paid firefighters to volunteer firefighters, who previously did not have guaranteed access to such screenings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends free cancer screenings to volunteer firefighters via SHBP, increasing access to preventive care without out-of-pocket costs.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides free cancer screenings for volunteer firefighters (a high-risk occupation), expanding workplace safety benefits and addressing job-related health hazards through SHBP coverage.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 712: Establishes reproductive health travel advisory.

S 712 requires New Jersey's Department of State to create a public "Reproductive Health Travel Advisory" to help residents traveling while pregnant make informed decisions. The advisory will categorize all U.S. states using a color-coded system: "Blue" (full access without legal risk), "Yellow" (restricted access with potential legal consequences), and "Red" (extreme restrictions risking denial of emergency care). It will detail each state's laws on abortion bans, waiting periods, insurance coverage, and legal protections for patients and providers. The advisory must be posted on the state website and updated whenever another state changes its reproductive healthcare laws. This directly affects New Jersey residents who may need to travel during pregnancy for medical emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides reproductive health travel advisory to help residents make informed decisions about healthcare access during travel, supporting patient access to reproductive health information and services.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 155: Permits school bus driver to administer epinephrine to student in emergency under certain circumstances.

This New Jersey bill (S 155) allows school bus drivers to administer epinephrine to students experiencing severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) under specific conditions. It requires parental written consent, a doctor’s order confirming the student’s need for epinephrine, and that the parent provides a current epinephrine auto-injector for the school bus. School bus drivers must complete mandatory training, and the school district must provide liability protections to drivers and contractors. The policy applies only to students with documented severe allergies who have been authorized by their parents and doctors.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables school bus drivers to administer epinephrine in emergencies, enhancing student safety during transportation - a direct protective measure supporting educational access and student well-being in K-12 settings.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables emergency epinephrine administration for allergic reactions, improving student access to critical care during school emergencies.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 1374: Requires local boards of education to employ certain number of school psychologists.

S 1374 requires New Jersey school districts to employ at least one full-time school psychologist per school, with a maximum student-to-psychologist ratio of 500:1. This directly affects all public school students and school districts across New Jersey, mandating staffing levels aligned with national best practices. School districts must apply for federal funds to help implement these requirements. The law takes effect immediately but will first apply in the second full school year after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates minimum school psychologist staffing per school (500:1 ratio), aligning with national best practices to directly support student mental health services in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school psychologists to improve student mental health access, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 1123: Requires portable anti-choking devices be placed in schools.

New Jersey's S 1123 requires all public and nonpublic schools to have at least one FDA-registered portable anti-choking device (a suction-based airway-clearing tool) available in cafeterias, school nurse offices, and similar locations during school hours and events. The devices must be unlocked, easily accessible, and marked with clear signage. Schools must train all nurses and staff in airway management and device use, while the state will reimburse schools for related costs. This bill directly affects school districts and nonpublic schools across New Jersey, aiming to improve emergency response to choking incidents.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires safety devices and staff training in schools, enhancing student safety infrastructure per education topic definition.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates anti-choking devices and staff training in schools for emergency airway management, directly advancing public health safety protocols.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 1376: Requires public schools that offer student psychological services to offer remote sessions.

S 1376 requires New Jersey public school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects that employ a school psychologist and offer in-person counseling to also provide virtual or remote counseling sessions for students in grades K-12. The bill mandates that schools permit remote sessions unless a school psychologist determines in-person counseling is necessary for a student's well-being. Students retain the right to choose in-person sessions if they prefer, and the law defines "school psychologist" as a certified professional with a New Jersey educational services certificate. This policy change ensures continued access to psychological services for students who cannot attend in-person sessions, such as due to health, transportation, or scheduling needs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates remote psychological services in schools, expanding access to student mental health support without restricting in-person options, directly enhancing educational access and student well-being.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates remote mental health services in schools, expanding access to psychological support for K-12 students, directly advancing mental health care access under healthcare policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 2243: Requires each public institution of higher education to develop menstrual equity plan.*

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires free menstrual products in higher ed, improving student access and well-being, directly supporting educational access90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires free menstrual products in public colleges, improving access to essential health supplies for students, aligning with healthcare access indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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