Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 3915: Requires nursing homes to provide training to staff in behavioral health issues.

This bill requires nursing homes in New Jersey to provide annual training to direct care staff on behavioral health issues. The training program, which the state health commissioner must establish in consultation with the human services commissioner, covers sensitivity to behavioral health needs, information about depression and other psychiatric disorders, and medication use for treating these conditions. The requirement applies to certified nurse aides, licensed practical nurses, registered professional nurses, and other health care professionals who provide direct care to nursing home residents. Nursing homes must complete this training every year, with the program taking effect seven months after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates nursing home staff training on behavioral health, improving patient care quality and mental health support in healthcare settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Mental Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3766: Requires New Jersey Board of Nursing to establish Nursing Scribe Program.

This bill requires the New Jersey Board of Nursing to create a Nursing Scribe Program in partnership with approved nursing schools. Under the program, nursing students can earn academic credit by completing a course that teaches electronic medical records documentation, medical terminology, HIPAA compliance, and medical billing and coding. Students must also complete supervised practicum hours providing documentation assistance to licensed nurses during patient encounters. The bill defines nurse scribe services as documentation support that stays within the scope of a nurse's professional licensure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates nursing scribe program offering academic credit to nursing students, enhancing educational opportunities and practical training in healthcare documentation.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes nursing scribe program to improve documentation skills and assist licensed nurses, enhancing healthcare operations and patient care quality.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3771: Concerns registration and operation of temporary nurse staffing agencies.

This bill requires temporary nurse staffing agencies in New Jersey to register annually with the Division of Consumer Affairs and prohibits unregistered agencies from providing services in the state. It mandates that agencies ensure all assigned nurses are properly credentialed, limits nurse billing rates to 150% of regional hourly wages, and requires agencies to maintain workers' compensation insurance and track employee health code violations. The legislation also prevents agencies from poaching nurses from client facilities and restricts contracts that block nurses from seeking permanent employment, while requiring agencies to maintain auditable salary records and submit violation reports to regulators.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects nurse staffing agencies' operations, ensures proper credentialing, limits billing rates, and requires insurance, strengthening healthcare workforce standards and patient protection.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects nurses' rights by ensuring proper credentialing, limiting billing rates, and requiring workers' compensation insurance and health code tracking.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4654: Regulates medication administration in certain licensed, residential facilities.

This bill requires that medication be administered only by a registered nurse or a certified medication aide working under a nurse's supervision in licensed residential programs and day programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. It mandates that parents or legal guardians provide detailed medical documentation with specific medication instructions and dosages before admission and whenever a medication or dosage is changed. The legislation also authorizes the Department of Human Services to create rules necessary to implement these requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens patient safety by regulating medication administration in residential facilities, protecting individuals with developmental disabilities from improper medication handling.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3728: Requires school districts to maintain supply of nasal rescue medication and oxygen for seizure emergencies; provides for training of designees to administer nasal rescue medication and oxygen when school nurse is not physically present.

This bill requires New Jersey school districts to keep nasal rescue medications and oxygen supplies available for seizure emergencies. It mandates that these supplies be stored in accessible locations throughout each school building and that designated staff members receive training to administer them when a school nurse is not present. The legislation also establishes a reimbursement system for districts to cover implementation costs and requires parental consent and liability waivers before designees can administer emergency treatment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens student safety and health protections in schools by requiring seizure emergency supplies and staff training, enhancing educational access and infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates availability of seizure emergency medications and oxygen in schools, improving patient access to critical healthcare supplies and training for staff.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4679: Increases scope of practice for licensed practical nurses and patient care technicians under certain circumstances.

This bill expands the duties allowed for licensed practical nurses and patient care technicians working at dialysis centers in New Jersey. It permits licensed practical nurses to conduct pre- and post-dialysis assessments that do not require a registered nurse's judgment, while requiring them to immediately report any abnormalities. Additionally, the bill allows patient care technicians to administer saline and heparin to dialysis patients, provided they are nationally certified, trained, and work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse. The New Jersey Commissioner of Health will be required to create new rules and regulations to implement these changes, which will take effect 180 days after the bill becomes law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands scope of practice for nurses and technicians, improving patient care access and efficiency in dialysis centers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 3905: Establishes program for certain individuals to become certified homemaker-home health aides and provide services to certain Medicaid and Medicaid-Medicare dually eligible enrollees under increased reimbursement rates.

This bill creates a program allowing family members or approved third parties to become certified home health aides and provide care to older adults enrolled in Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare. Under the program, eligible individuals aged 65 or older would receive services through home care agencies, with the agency covering all certification training costs and prohibiting repayment from the caregiver. Services provided by these certified family members would be reimbursed at a rate of at least $30 per hour, with tasks limited to those a registered nurse can delegate to certified aides. The Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services must establish the program within six months and develop tools to identify eligible enrollees.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands home health care access for Medicaid enrollees by creating certification programs and increasing reimbursement rates for family caregivers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Medicaid

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3751: Requires suspension of certification of homemaker-home health aides under certain circumstances.

This bill amends the New Jersey Board of Nursing by updating the composition, qualifications, and duties of its members. It requires specific professional experience and residency requirements for board members, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse educators, and an advanced practice nurse. The legislation also outlines the board's powers to examine applicants, issue licenses, and investigate violations of nursing regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens nursing board oversight and professional standards, protecting healthcare quality and patient safety through enhanced regulatory measures.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4676: 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 bill requires New Jersey public schools to create policies for administering nasal seizure rescue medication and using manual vagus nerve stimulators for students with seizure disorders during emergencies. It defines specific roles for school nurses as primary responders while allowing them to designate at least two additional trained staff members to assist when the nurse is not present. The legislation mandates that designated staff receive CPR and defibrillator training, obtain written parental consent, and includes provisions protecting school employees from liability when acting in good faith during emergency medical situations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances student safety and health access in schools by mandating seizure emergency protocols, directly supporting educational access and student welfare.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates schools to develop policies for administering seizure rescue medication and using vagus nerve stimulators, improving emergency medical access for students with seizure disorders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 3992: Increases cap on personal care assistant services from 40 hours to 91 hours per week for Medicaid beneficiary determined clinically eligible for nursing facility level of care.

This bill increases the weekly limit on personal care assistant services for Medicaid recipients who are clinically eligible for nursing facility care from 40 hours to 91 hours. The change applies to individuals receiving health-related assistance with daily living tasks in their homes or other settings under nurse supervision. To implement the increase, the Department of Human Services must update its assessment tools and seek necessary federal approval to cover the additional costs. The legislation takes effect immediately and aims to allow more people to remain in their communities rather than moving to institutional care.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases funding for Medicaid personal care services, strengthening support for vulnerable populations through expanded government assistance.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases weekly personal care assistant hours for Medicaid recipients, expanding healthcare access and services for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Medicaid

Track