Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce)

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

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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

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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

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2228: Establishes Direct Care Worker Support Program in DOH; makes appropriation.

This bill creates the Direct Care Worker Support Program within New Jersey's Department of Health to assist direct care workers, including certified nurse aides and home health aides, with childcare and transportation costs. It requires the Department to provide financial aid for these expenses through an application process with commissioner-set eligibility rules. The bill also mandates a one-year study examining wage gaps among different direct care worker roles, requiring the Department to submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. Funding for the program is provided through an appropriation from the General Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes specific appropriation for childcare/transportation aid to direct care workers, funding a new state program within DOH.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds childcare/transport for direct care workers (nurse aides, home health aides) via DOH, strengthening healthcare workforce stability and access to services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates financial aid for childcare/transportation costs and mandates wage gap study for direct care workers, directly advancing worker economic stability and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4342: 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 establishes a program in New Jersey allowing family members or approved third parties to become certified homemaker-home health aides (CHHAs) for seniors aged 65+ enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, or NJ FamilyCare who qualify for CHHA services. The home care agency must cover all certification costs (training, testing), and individuals cannot be required to repay these expenses. Certified services provided under this program will be reimbursed at a minimum rate of $30 per hour. The Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services must implement the program within six months of the bill's effective date, with services delivered under a registered nurse's direction.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Medicaid-certified home care program with $30/hr reimbursement, removing certification costs for family caregivers serving seniors on Medicaid/Medicare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Medicaid

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 904: Establishes program in New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing for support of residency programs at veterans' memorial homes in New Jersey; appropriates $500,000.

This bill creates a program through New Jersey's Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN) to help veterans' memorial homes establish nurse residency programs for licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. It appropriates $500,000 to fund financial, material, and technical support for participating homes, requiring programs to include a 12-month timeline, full-time schedules, and mentoring by experienced nurses. Veterans' memorial homes must apply for support, with approval on a first-come basis, and will collect data on program completion and nurse retention. The program mandates annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on participation and spending.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $500,000 to fund nurse residency programs at veterans' homes, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and patient care access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransFunds nurse residency programs at veterans' memorial homes with $500,000 appropriation to improve healthcare services for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Memorials & Recognition Veteran Housing

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died · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3489: Provides employment protections for paid first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder under certain conditions.

S 3489, the "New Jersey First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Protection Act," provides employment protections for paid first responders - including law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and 9-1-1 dispatchers - diagnosed with PTSD from work-related trauma. It prohibits employers (public entities) from firing, harassing, or discriminating against employees taking leave for a qualifying PTSD diagnosis and requires reinstatement to the same position after leave if a mental health professional confirms fitness to return. A qualifying diagnosis must stem from a traumatic event during work duties or vicarious trauma from work, documented via Workers' Compensation orders or a mental health professional’s evaluation. Employees can sue for violations and seek remedies like reinstatement, back pay, or fines up to $10,000 per violation, with the law taking effect immediately.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides employment protections for law enforcement officers with work-related PTSD, directly supporting law enforcement personnel by preventing discrimination and ensuring reinstatement after leave.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects mental health access by preventing job loss for PTSD treatment, aligning with healthcare support indicators for mental health services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits firing/discrimination against first responders with work-related PTSD and mandates reinstatement, directly protecting workers' rights and job security.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4281: Creates Midwifery Licensing Act; modifies regulation of midwifery.

This bill creates a new State Board of Midwives within New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs to regulate midwifery practice, replacing the current oversight by the State Board of Medical Examiners. It directly affects midwives (including certified midwives, certified nurse midwives, and certified professional midwives) and the patients they serve, particularly in maternal and infant care. Key provisions establish the board's 11-member structure (with midwives, physicians, and public members), define "midwifery services" to include pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and reproductive health, and update outdated regulations dating to the 19th century. The bill aims to modernize licensing to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, especially in vulnerable communities, by creating an independent regulatory framework.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates dedicated board for midwifery regulation, strengthening oversight of maternal/infant care services within healthcare framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce Women's Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3366: Requires counseling for certain domestic violence offenders.

This bill requires New Jersey courts to mandate professional domestic violence counseling for offenders convicted of domestic violence crimes who are subject to court-ordered restrictions on contact with victims, family members, or pets. It applies to individuals sentenced with conditions restricting their contact with protected parties, including those placed on probation or having sentences suspended. The court must order offenders to complete counseling with a licensed mental health professional and provide documentation of attendance, and the offender cannot have their protection order lifted until counseling is completed. This policy change directly affects domestic violence offenders in New Jersey court cases involving contact restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates counseling for domestic violence offenders to reduce recidivism, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates court-ordered mental health counseling for domestic violence offenders, directly advancing mental health services as required by licensed professionals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4340: Imposes minimum staffing requirements and certain reporting requirements on certain long-term care facilities.

This bill requires New Jersey long-term care facilities providing specialized care for Alzheimer's patients to maintain at least one staff member trained in memory care at all times. It mandates that facilities keep daily staffing records (including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse aides) and provide this information to the public upon request. Additionally, facilities must share a written list of Alzheimer's-specific activities and safety policies with potential residents and submit annual reports on antipsychotic medication use to the state health department. These requirements directly affect facilities serving Alzheimer's patients across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires trained staff and transparency in Alzheimer's care facilities, strengthening patient safety standards and oversight in long-term healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care

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