This bill requires every public school in New Jersey to employ at least two full-time staff members with expertise in student mental health - specifically licensed school counselors or school psychologists - starting in the first full school year after enactment. For schools with over 500 students, districts must add additional staff in proportion to enrollment. The law applies directly to all local school boards and affects every public school building statewide. It mandates concrete staffing levels without specifying funding mechanisms or outcomes.
This bill (S 3048) would limit health insurance plan costs for patients receiving follow-up care after surgery or illness. It requires insurers to allow patients to pay only **one co-payment or deductible** for all covered follow-up visits with participating providers within any 180-day period, regardless of how many visits occur. The rule applies only if patients follow their plan’s preauthorization rules for in-network care. It directly affects patients with managed care health insurance plans in New Jersey who need ongoing post-surgical or illness treatment. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Commerce Committee and would take effect for new/renewed insurance contracts after enactment.
This bill requires New Jersey public employees' contributions to flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to follow the same annual inflation-adjusted limit as federal law. It applies to all state, local government, and school district employees who participate in employer-sponsored FSAs for medical/dental expenses. The key provision mandates that the contribution limit - currently $3,200 for 2024 - be updated yearly to match the federal inflation-adjusted amount, rather than using a fixed state limit. This ensures public employees' FSA benefits stay aligned with federal tax code standards.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a public awareness and education program about Alzheimer's disease. The program must promote awareness of symptoms, early detection, and community resources through a public campaign, educational materials for healthcare providers, and specialized training for first responders, judicial staff, and social services personnel. It specifically mandates DHS to develop content covering disease symptoms, coping strategies, safety concerns, and treatment options, making this information available online in English and Spanish. The initiative directly affects New Jersey residents living with Alzheimer's, their caregivers, and the state's healthcare, emergency response, and legal systems. DHS may accept grants to fund the program but is required to implement it regardless of funding availability.
This bill (S 2887) expands eligibility for New Jersey inmates to participate in residential community release programs (RCRPs). It allows inmates scheduled for release in less than 30 months (previously 18-24 months) to join RCRPs if the Department of Corrections (DOC) deems it appropriate, or inmates with 12-30 months remaining who need substance use disorder treatment. The bill also requires the DOC to report monthly to the Legislature (not just the budget office) on RCRP bed capacity for inmates 30-36 months from release. Additionally, it prohibits returning inmates to correctional facilities solely for medical conditions or pregnancy, and bans punitive measures for medical needs during RCRP participation.
This bill (S 797) requires New Jersey Medicaid to cover ovulation-enhancing drugs and related medical services for eligible beneficiaries experiencing infertility. It directly affects low-income New Jersey residents enrolled in Medicaid who face infertility challenges. The key mechanism adds these fertility treatments to Medicaid's list of covered services under "medical care not included in subsection a.(5)," expanding existing coverage categories. The bill specifies coverage for the drugs themselves and associated medical services administered to manage infertility, without detailing specific eligibility thresholds beyond the beneficiary's infertility status.
This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Education to create a public awareness campaign about social media risks for minors, using $500,000 in state funds. The campaign will target parents and guardians, drawing on the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 findings about youth mental health impacts, and will launch within 180 days of the bill’s enactment. It will use statewide media - including TV ads, radio, social media, and newspapers - to share research-based safety guidance. The Department must report on the campaign’s progress to the Governor and Legislature within 24 months.
This bill establishes "fertility fraud" as a crime in New Jersey. It makes it illegal for health care practitioners to perform fertility treatments using their own or another person's reproductive material without the patient's written consent, directly affecting patients who could become victims and practitioners who violate this rule. The offense is classified as a third-degree crime, punishable by up to five years in prison, a $15,000 fine, and permanent loss of medical licensure. Prosecutions must occur within 20 years of the treatment or 10 years after the victim discovers the fraud.
This bill redirects 1% of the Workforce Development Partnership Fund to provide permanent, dedicated annual funding for the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research. It replaces the previous $1 million annual allocation from cigarette tax receipts (which had been diverted to other budget needs in recent years). The Commission, established in 1983, uses this funding to support cancer research projects and advance cancer prevention, treatment, and palliation efforts across New Jersey. The bill ensures consistent funding for the Commission without affecting other existing sources like "Conquer Cancer" license plate revenue.
S 2886 revises New Jersey's Work First New Jersey program to allow individuals convicted of drug-related offenses (involving possession, use, or distribution of controlled substances) to qualify for general assistance benefits if they enroll in or complete a licensed drug treatment program. Previously ineligible individuals can now access benefits through treatment participation, with exceptions if no program is available or for approved "good cause" excuses. Benefits are paid directly to the treatment provider during participation and to the individual after completion, requiring drug testing for 60 days post-treatment (except for prescribed medications). This change applies to those convicted on or after August 22, 1996, under state or federal law.
