Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2998: Clarifies coverage requirements for health insurers of over-the-counter contraceptive drugs.

This New Jersey bill (S 2998) requires health insurers to cover all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices, and related services without cost-sharing. It specifically mandates no deductibles, copays, or prior authorization for over-the-counter contraceptives at the point of sale, while also covering prescription options and related services like counseling and device insertion. The law applies to all hospital and medical service corporations offering health insurance in New Jersey, directly affecting subscribers who use contraception. Insurers must cover these services at the same level as other preventive care, with no medical necessity review needed for over-the-counter products.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no cost-sharing for FDA-approved contraceptives, expanding access to essential health services without financial barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2264: Provides for voluntary contributions for taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support reproductive health care services.

S 2264 establishes the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Care Equitable Access Fund" within the state Treasury. Taxpayers can voluntarily add a contribution to their New Jersey gross income tax return to support this fund, with net contributions (after administrative costs) deposited into it. The Legislature would annually allocate all funds in the account equally to the three largest Medicaid reproductive health care providers in the state, requiring them to use the money to provide services (including pregnancy-related care and pregnancy termination) to low-income individuals who cannot afford them. The bill defines "reproductive health care services" broadly to cover medical, surgical, counseling, and referral services related to the human reproductive system. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Health Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesVoluntary tax contributions fund reproductive health care services via state Treasury, directing tax revenue to public health programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates fund to allocate tax contributions to reproductive health care providers, directly funding healthcare services per bill's purpose and allocation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Medicaid Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 395: Requires federal funding to be made available to Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse to support Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse if needed to offset unanticipated decrease in dedicated revenues.

S 395 ensures funding for New Jersey's Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse if state funds fall short during fiscal years 2022-2023. It requires the Governor to use federal pandemic relief funds (like CARES Act or American Rescue Plan money) to cover gaps when dedicated state revenues - collected from criminal surcharges and alcohol taxes - prove insufficient. The Alliance uses these funds to support community coalitions that run school programs, parent education, student intervention, and public awareness campaigns against substance abuse. This bill applies only to 2022-2023 and expires June 30, 2023.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directs federal funds to support school programs, parent education, and student intervention via Alliance, enhancing educational access and support within schools.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds substance abuse prevention programs using federal relief, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1228: Requires public schools to develop policy for administration of nasal seizure rescue medication and use of manual vagas nerve stimulators for students with seizure disorder on emergent basis.

This New Jersey bill (S 1228) requires public schools to create emergency policies for students with seizure disorders. It mandates schools to train at least two non-nurse staff members (in addition to the school nurse) to administer nasal seizure rescue medication and use a manual vagus nerve stimulator during emergencies, with parental consent and written documentation. Schools must also develop individualized emergency plans in collaboration with parents and healthcare providers, and ensure students receive hospital evaluation after treatment. The bill protects school staff from liability for good-faith actions under these protocols, provided they follow training and consent requirements. The bill was introduced to the Senate Education Committee in January 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school health protocols for students with seizure disorders, enhancing student safety and access to care in educational settings95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school emergency protocols for seizure treatment, improving access to medical care for students with seizure disorders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Health Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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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

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2259: Codifies authority for certain health care providers to provide abortions and clarifies certain operational requirements for abortion facilities.

S 2259 codifies existing regulations that allow a broader range of healthcare providers (including nurse practitioners and physician assistants trained since 2021) to perform abortions in New Jersey, while removing medically unnecessary facility requirements. The bill directly affects abortion providers and patients by eliminating outdated rules that increased costs and created barriers to care. Key provisions include updating statutory language to reflect current practices, removing facility requirements that don’t improve patient health, and ensuring consistent access to abortion services. This legislation secures existing access without expanding new provider types, focusing on streamlining current operational standards. The bill aims to make reproductive healthcare more affordable and accessible within New Jersey communities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands abortion access by allowing more providers and removing unnecessary facility barriers, directly improving patient access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 327: Requires insurers and SHBP to provide coverage for expenses incurred in screening for ovarian cancer.

This bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover medically necessary ovarian cancer screening for symptomatic women or those at high risk. It mandates coverage for specific tests including annual pelvic exams, ultrasounds, and blood marker tests, on the same terms as other medical conditions. The law applies to individual/group health insurance policies, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and state health benefit plans purchased by the State Health Benefits Commission. It takes effect for policies issued or renewed after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage for ovarian cancer screening tests, expanding preventive care access for high-risk patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2918: Requires prescription drug coverage for serious mental illness without prior authorization or utilization management, including step therapy.

This bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover prescription drugs for "serious mental illness" (including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and PTSD) without prior authorization or step therapy protocols. It directly affects individuals with these diagnoses who rely on insurance for mental health medications. Key provisions ban insurers from forcing patients to try lower-cost treatments first (step therapy) or requiring pre-approval for covered medications. The bill also mandates insurers to report how they apply medical necessity standards for mental health coverage to ensure parity with physical health benefits. This creates immediate, concrete changes to medication access for covered mental health conditions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for mental health medications without prior authorization or step therapy, directly improving patient access and protecting mental health services per the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Prescription Drugs

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2610: Permits individual holding a nursing multistate license to be eligible for school nurse certification.

S 2610 allows registered nurses with a multistate nursing license (under the Enhanced Multistate Nurse Licensure Compact) to qualify for school nurse certification in New Jersey. The bill amends existing law to recognize these licenses as meeting the registered nurse requirement for school nurse endorsements, replacing the previous requirement for a New Jersey-specific license. This change directly affects nurses holding a multistate license who seek to work as school nurses in New Jersey public schools. It removes a barrier that previously prevented such nurses from obtaining certification without obtaining an additional New Jersey nursing license.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves licensing barrier for school nurses, enabling more qualified staff in K-12 schools, supporting educational access and school health infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes barrier for multistate licensed nurses to become school nurses, expanding access to school healthcare services and supporting healthcare professionals by recognizing existing qualifications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1275: Requires health insurance coverage of diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations without cost-sharing.

S 1275 requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey (including hospital, medical, and health service corporation plans) to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations without cost-sharing. Diagnostic exams evaluate abnormalities found in screenings or detected otherwise, while supplemental exams screen high-risk patients (e.g., those with dense breasts or family history) when no abnormality exists. The bill mandates coverage "to the same extent as for any other sickness" under insurance contracts, eliminating deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for these specific exams. This directly affects New Jersey residents with health insurance who require these medically necessary breast screenings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no cost-sharing for breast exams, expanding insurance coverage access per bill's explicit coverage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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