Healthcare in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3840: Permits pharmacists to dispense certain drugs in emergency without prescription.

This bill allows pharmacists in New Jersey to provide an emergency supply of certain chronic maintenance medications without a current prescription when a patient cannot reach their doctor for a refill. To qualify, the pharmacy must have a prior prescription on file, the pharmacist must attempt to contact the prescribing practitioner without success, and the medication cannot be a controlled substance. The emergency supply is limited to a 30-day amount and cannot be provided to the same patient more than once within a 12-month period, with full documentation required. Pharmacists and their employers are protected from civil liability unless they act with gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Board of Pharmacy will establish specific rules to implement these provisions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 4790: Makes certain changes to regulation of health care service firms.

This bill expands New Jersey's regulation of health care service firms by requiring employment agencies and other entities that place individuals in personal residences to register as Health Care Service Firms if they provide companion, health care, or personal care services to people with disabilities or those age 60 and older. The law mandates that registered firms obtain accreditation from a recognized body within 12 months and submit annual financial statements to the Division of Consumer Affairs, with larger firms required to undergo external audits every three years or annually if gross income exceeds $10 million. Smaller firms receiving less than $500,000 in Medicaid Personal Care Assistance services must submit annual reports detailing insurance coverages and internal management practices instead of full audits. These provisions apply regardless of whether the firm uses direct employment, online platforms, or other business models to connect service providers with clients.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4695: Establishes centralized electronic health information exchange infrastructure to facilitate reentry into civilian life for recently incarcerated persons.

This bill creates a centralized electronic system in New Jersey to securely share health records between healthcare providers, correctional facilities, and reentry programs. It requires the New Jersey Health Information Technology Commission to build this infrastructure in consultation with the Department of Health and Department of Corrections. The system would allow patients to request their health information be shared across these different settings with their informed consent, while ensuring all data sharing complies with privacy laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4722: Revises reporting requirements for nursing homes concerning financial disclosures and ownership structure.

This bill requires nursing homes in New Jersey to provide detailed financial and ownership information to the Department of Health before a sale or transfer of ownership occurs. The new requirements include submitting a transfer fee, a cover letter identifying the facility, a description of the transaction with full details on current and proposed owners, and copies of sales and management agreements. The Department of Health must post these applications on its website within 30 days while redacting personal and proprietary information, and the public will have an opportunity to comment on each transfer. Additionally, ownership transfer approval depends on the Department reviewing the new owners' disciplinary history and ensuring all outstanding Medicaid claims and penalties are resolved or assumed by the new owners.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3868: Clarifies public school student attendance recording and reporting requirements.

This bill clarifies how New Jersey public schools must record and report student attendance by establishing specific rules for excused and unexcused absences. It requires schools to count students as present if they participate in at least half a day of instruction, whether in-person, at an off-site location, or virtually. The legislation expands excused absences to include menstrual disorders, mental or behavioral health issues, court appearances, and family deaths, while also recognizing State-excused absences for religious observances, Veterans Day, election activities, college visits, and transportation closures. Students with excused absences can make up missed work, and these absences will not appear on transcripts or employment forms, though documentation may be required for approval.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3806: Requires female inmates be provided with family planning services prior to release from correctional facility.

This bill requires the New Jersey Commissioner of Corrections to provide family planning services to female inmates at least 10 days before their release from state correctional facilities. It amends the existing Fair Release and Reentry Act of 2009, which already mandates that all inmates receive various documents and resources to assist with reentry, such as medical records, prescription medications, and information on voting and employment. The provision specifically targets female inmates by adding family planning services to the list of required pre-release resources. This change aims to support women transitioning back into society by ensuring they have access to reproductive health planning before leaving incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Women's Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 4042: Concerns lung cancer screening awareness and access.

This bill establishes a new New Jersey program to improve lung cancer screening awareness and access for first responders and veterans. The Department of Health will coordinate outreach and referrals to help these high-risk groups learn about and access low-dose computed tomography screening, which is recommended for adults aged 50 to 80 with significant smoking histories. The program will work with existing public and private coverage options to remove barriers to screening for these populations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4721: Prohibits electric, gas, or water public utility service discontinuances to residential customers during certain epidemics.

This bill prohibits electric, gas, and water utilities in New Jersey from cutting off service to residential customers who fail to pay their bills during declared epidemics. The law applies only when the Governor officially declares a public health emergency and state of emergency due to a widespread disease outbreak, with exceptions for urgent safety situations like gas leaks or water contamination. Once the emergency declaration is lifted, utilities may resume normal collection practices, and customers become responsible for any unpaid balances from the epidemic period. The legislation also requires utilities to restore service to any residential customers whose accounts were disconnected before the epidemic began.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Public Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 4046: Establishes New Jersey Justice Center for the Protection of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

This bill creates the New Jersey Justice Center for the Protection of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities within the Department of Human Services. The center will be led by an Executive Director appointed by the Governor and will develop policies to ensure high standards of care and protect the rights of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who live in state programs or facilities. Key provisions include defining abuse, neglect, and exploitation by caregivers, improving investigation procedures for incidents involving these individuals, and allowing the center to accept grants and contracts to support its work. The bill also establishes a Medical Review Board to oversee mortality and abuse prevention cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

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

A 4601: Provides for licensure of emergency medical responders and emergency medical technicians and certification of mobility assistance vehicle operators; revises requirements for delivery of emergency medical and patient transportation services.

This bill establishes licensure for emergency medical responders and emergency medical technicians in New Jersey, while also creating a certification program for mobility assistance vehicle operators. It updates the state's legal definitions for various emergency medical roles and services, including advanced life support, mobile intensive care units, and hospital transfer centers. The legislation requires the Department of Health to oversee these new standards and ensures that patient transportation services meet specific safety and care requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing

All healthcare bills