Healthcare

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

A 4157: Requires newly constructed police stations, fire stations, and hospitals to provide newborn safety device; allows affirmative defense to prosecution for abandonment if parent leaves child in device.

This bill requires all newly constructed police stations, fire stations, and hospitals in New Jersey to install a secure, alarmed compartment (a "newborn safety device") for parents to safely leave newborns. Parents who leave a baby under 30 days old in the device (or with an adult employee at these facilities) without intending to return cannot be prosecuted for child abandonment. The facility must then transport the baby to a hospital emergency department, and the hospital must notify child protection services within one business day. This applies only to newly built facilities and does not change existing laws for older buildings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospitals to provide newborn safety devices, ensuring immediate medical access for abandoned infants via hospital ER transport, advancing patient access to emergency healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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

A 966: Requires Commissioner of Health to establish maternity care public awareness campaign.

This New Jersey bill (A 966) requires the Commissioner of Health to create a public awareness campaign focused on improving maternal and child health outcomes, with a specific emphasis on equitable care across all racial and ethnic groups. The campaign will provide accessible information through a dedicated Department of Health website, including hospital data on cesarean births and breastfeeding rates to help women choose care providers, promote birth plan documentation in medical records, and share guidance on avoiding unnecessary interventions like early inductions. It also educates the public on maternal health services, breastfeeding rights, pregnancy discrimination protections, and Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women. The campaign directly affects pregnant individuals, new mothers, and healthcare providers in New Jersey by making key maternity care information more transparent and actionable.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes public awareness campaign to improve maternal health access, equity, and provider transparency through data sharing and birth plan promotion, directly advancing patient-centered healthcare outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals Women's Health

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

A 4179: Establishes requirements for incentive-based value payment system for home health agencies and health care service firms.

This bill establishes a mandatory incentive-based payment system for home health agencies and healthcare service firms that serve NJ FamilyCare recipients enrolled in Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans. It requires these providers to meet specific performance targets across nine key health outcomes - including reduced hospitalizations, improved patient mobility, medication reconciliation, and fewer adverse events - to earn additional payments. The system measures performance using standardized metrics from the "Outcome and Assessment Information Set," with payments distributed by managed care organizations based on achieved results. Agencies must also implement protocols for care coordination, discharge follow-up, and patient education as part of participation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates performance-based incentives for home health providers to improve outcomes (reduced hospitalizations, medication reconciliation), directly advancing healthcare quality and patient care standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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

A 1419: Prohibits acquisition or disclosure of certain personal health information without consent.

This bill prohibits health care providers, mobile app developers, and third parties from collecting or sharing New Jersey residents' personal health data - including biometric information like heart rate, sleep patterns, or menstrual cycles, and health records - without explicit consent. It requires consent before initial collection and within three days before each disclosure, though ongoing consent covers repeated collection if previously authorized. Exceptions apply for medical treatment between health providers. Violations could result in $1,000 penalties per violation, without affecting existing HIPAA protections.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient privacy by requiring explicit consent for health data collection/disclosure, aligning with patient rights in healthcare policies.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates explicit consent for health data collection by tech entities, strengthening privacy protections in digital health data handling.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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

A 1893: Modifies laws regarding compensation and leaves of absence for certain public employees who served in the military; requires public employers follow certain policies and procedures for leaves of absence.

This bill modifies New Jersey law to improve leave and compensation for public employees who serve in military reserves or the National Guard. It guarantees up to 30 work days of paid leave per year (90 days for National Guard members) for military duty, including travel days and pre-deployment rest periods (5-10 days based on service length). Public employers must continue covering retirement and health insurance contributions during leave, and employees cannot be forced to use vacation time during military leave. The law directly affects state, county, and municipal employees who are active military reservists or National Guard members.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires public employers to maintain health insurance contributions during military leave, preventing coverage disruption for employees' healthcare access.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGuarantees paid military leave (up to 90 days), maintains health/retirement coverage during leave, and prevents forced vacation use - directly strengthens public employees' benefits and rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Paid Leave Public Employees

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

A 4291: Requires DOC to provide reunification therapy to inmates and immediate family members prior to inmate's release.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections (DOC) to offer reunification therapy sessions to inmates scheduled for release within six months, and to inform those with nine months until release about this option. The therapy sessions must involve the inmate participating virtually while immediate family members attend in person at approved locations like mental health provider offices or nonprofit reentry centers. If family members decline to participate, the DOC must still provide individual counseling to the inmate. The bill also mandates DOC to seek supplemental funding from private or federal sources and provide inmates with information about post-release support programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reunification therapy to aid post-release reintegration, reducing recidivism through family support - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates DOC to provide mental health reunification therapy, expanding access to mental health services for inmates and families through approved providers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Mental Health

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

A 437: Requires public schools that offer student psychological services to offer remote sessions.

This bill requires New Jersey public schools (including district, charter, and renaissance schools) that employ school psychologists and offer in-person counseling to students in grades K-12 to also provide remote counseling sessions as an option. Schools must allow students to attend sessions remotely unless a school psychologist determines in-person counseling is necessary for the student's well-being. Students retain the right to choose in-person sessions if they prefer, and the bill defines "school psychologist" as someone holding a specific New Jersey certification. The law takes effect immediately for the next full school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates remote psychological services in K-12 schools, expanding student access to mental health support without restricting in-person options, directly advancing educational access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates remote mental health counseling in schools, expanding student access to psychological services as part of healthcare support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3597: Requires boards of education to adopt suicide prevention policies and DOE to establish model suicide prevention policy.

This bill requires all New Jersey public school districts (K-12) to adopt suicide prevention policies covering proactive measures, immediate response to suicidal behavior, and support after suicide attempts or deaths. The New Jersey Department of Education must create a model policy to guide school boards, which must consult with mental health professionals and community stakeholders when developing their local policies. The policy must address prevention (identifying risks and resources), intervention (immediate response protocols), and postvention (support after incidents), while recognizing high-risk student groups. School boards must post the policy online and notify students, parents, and guardians of its availability.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates suicide prevention policies in K-12 schools, enhancing student mental health support and safety within educational environments.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school suicide prevention policies with mental health professional consultation, directly advancing mental health services in schools per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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

ACR 45: Proposes constitutional amendment recognizing fundamental right to reproductive freedom.

ACR 45 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to New Jersey's state constitution that would recognize a fundamental right to reproductive freedom. This amendment would guarantee specific rights including access to contraception, choosing or refusing sterilization, carrying a pregnancy to term, giving birth, or having an abortion, and prohibit the state or local governments from infringing on these rights. Currently, reproductive rights in New Jersey are protected by court decisions and state statutes (like the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act), but this amendment would formally establish them in the constitution for voter approval. The resolution must be approved by the legislature and then submitted to voters in the next general election.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareGuarantees access to reproductive healthcare services including contraception and abortion, protecting patient rights and access under healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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signed · New Jersey · Senate Aug 11, 2026

S 3412: Requires Social Media Research Center to research and make recommendations concerning addictive social media behaviors.*

S 3412 would require certain social media platforms in New Jersey to display a black box warning about mental health risks to users, similar to health warnings on tobacco products. The bill targets platforms primarily designed for social connection (like Facebook or TikTok) that have users in New Jersey, excluding services focused on news, entertainment, or e-commerce. This requirement is based on findings that youth social media use exceeding three hours daily doubles risks of depression and anxiety, and platforms are aware of these harms. The warning must be displayed on platforms meeting the bill's definition of "covered social media platforms," affecting all users of those services in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health warnings on social media to prevent depression risks, directly protecting mental health as part of healthcare policy.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates social media platforms for youth mental health protection, aligning with consumer protection in digital rights95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Social Media