This bill, S 1368, changes how state funds for nursing services in nonpublic schools are distributed. It allows school districts to pay licensed nurses directly - rather than keeping the funds - when nonpublic schools provide required proof: the nurse’s valid license, documented service hours, and a signed agreement accepting liability if the nurse’s credentials are later disputed. The policy applies only to new or renewed agreements starting in the 2021-2022 school year or later, not to existing 2020-2021 agreements. It ensures reimbursement flows directly to nurses while requiring nonpublic schools to verify credentials and assume potential liability.
This bill establishes a pilot program in New Jersey's Department of Human Services to improve behavioral health care coordination for emergency department patients. It requires two hospitals in each Regional Health Hub to refer patients with mild-to-moderate behavioral health issues (like anxiety, depression, or substance use not requiring inpatient care) to community-based treatment services. Regional Health Hubs will support hospitals in developing protocols for timely referrals, follow-up, transportation, and connecting patients to services like housing assistance or medication treatment. The program will be covered under Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare once necessary federal waivers are approved, with funding provided through existing Regional Health Hub mechanisms.
This bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to implement comprehensive mental health programs for students. Key provisions include mandatory annual mental health awareness sessions, on-campus screenings for conditions like depression and anxiety, peer support programs using recovery-model best practices, and partnerships with local mental health providers to achieve a 1:1,250 clinician-to-student ratio benchmark. It also mandates Mental Health First Aid training for student advisors, resident assistants, and campus security staff. The law directly affects all public and private higher education institutions in New Jersey, aiming to increase access to services and reduce barriers for students seeking mental health support.
This bill (S 2262) requires health care providers and insurers to obtain a patient’s explicit written consent before sharing medical records related to reproductive health care services - including pregnancy, contraception, or abortion care - with anyone outside the care team, unless specific exceptions apply. Patients must be informed of their right to withhold consent before receiving care or when sharing information about past services. Limited exceptions allow disclosure during medical emergencies, for legal compliance (like court orders), to protect against liability claims, or for investigations into abuse. Violations could trigger $1,000 penalties per incident, but the law explicitly preserves existing HIPAA protections.
This bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover enrollment in recovery high school alternative education programs as part of mental health/substance use disorder treatment. It applies when a certified counselor, physician, or school official determines placement is clinically appropriate using standard medical criteria. Insurance must cover these programs under the same terms as other medical benefits, without stricter limits than those applied to general medical care. The law amends existing insurance coverage requirements to include this specific educational option for students with substance use disorders. It directly affects students seeking recovery-focused education and health insurers providing coverage in New Jersey.
This bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid program to cover social adult day care services for seniors aged 60 or older who meet the same clinical, income, and asset requirements as participants in the state's Medicaid long-term care program (MLTSS). It expands current coverage, which only applies to MLTSS enrollees, to all eligible seniors regardless of MLTSS enrollment. Social adult day care is defined as a community-based program providing non-medical support (like meals and supervision) during the day when caregivers are unavailable. The state must seek federal approval for implementation through Medicaid waivers before the coverage becomes active.
This bill establishes a state fund to provide lifetime health insurance coverage for live kidney donors in New Jersey. It requires the state to cover all premiums for a gold-level health plan (including prescription drugs) through the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage Program, with no cost to donors or their employers. The Kidney Donor Insurance Fund, created in the Department of Banking and Insurance, will pay for these premiums using state funds. The coverage applies to all live kidney donations occurring on or after the bill's effective date.
S 1891 establishes a 5-year pilot program requiring New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to coordinate START services (systemic, therapeutic, assessment, resource, and treatment) for adults with both developmental disabilities and mental illness. The program creates community-based therapeutic respite homes with dedicated beds for crisis stabilization (stabilization beds) and preventive respite (respite beds), alongside 24/7 crisis response services. It mandates individualized crisis management plans to prevent emergencies and stabilize crises without hospitalization or institutional care. This directly affects eligible adults in New Jersey who currently face challenges accessing integrated support across mental health and disability service systems.
This bill expands New Jersey's Traumatic Brain Injury Fund to cover transportation costs for eligible individuals attending support group meetings. It directly affects residents of New Jersey who have survived traumatic brain injuries and need transportation to access these meetings, which are defined as gatherings focused on sharing information and improving well-being related to their injuries. The fund will now pay for transportation to these meetings as part of its existing purpose, alongside existing coverage for medical appointments and treatment. This change builds on the current fund structure, which already provides up to $100,000 per person annually for transportation and other support services when other resources are unavailable.
This bill increases Medicaid payment rates for specific behavioral health services provided to adults in New Jersey. It raises reimbursement rates for in-person partial care (20+ hours/week) and intensive outpatient services (9+ hours/week) by 35%, covering costs like counseling, psychiatric evaluations, and medical services. It also sets a minimum $10 reimbursement per one-way trip for transportation to these providers. The changes apply to adult Medicaid beneficiaries (21+) with severe mental illness or substance use disorders receiving these services, effective after the bill's enactment.
