Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce) in New Jersey

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 ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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 ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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 & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Medicaid

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 & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Healthcare Workforce

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 ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Medicaid

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 ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Memorials & Recognition Veteran Housing

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 Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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 ✓ Healthcare

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

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 Justice ✓ Healthcare

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

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 ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care

All healthcare bills