This bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance from $35 to $50 for New Jersey Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who are veterans or spouses of veterans. It also requires annual cost-of-living adjustments to this $50 amount, tied to the same percentage as Social Security’s annual adjustment. The allowance is intended to cover personal items like clothing, grooming supplies, and newspapers that facilities do not provide. This directly affects veterans and their spouses receiving these benefits, particularly those living in nursing homes, developmental centers, or psychiatric hospitals. The change will take effect after federal approval of related Medicaid plan amendments.
This bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Health to issue temporary emergency medical services certifications to EMTs and paramedics whose certifications have expired or are inactive, during the ongoing state or public health emergency related to COVID-19 (whichever lasts longer). It allows provisional certifications for expired EMTs/paramedics and temporary reactivation for inactive paramedics, waiving standard fees, continuing education, and proficiency demonstration requirements. These temporary certifications are valid for six months from issuance, and the bill also enables temporary reciprocity for paramedics certified in other states or by the National Registry. The policy directly affects healthcare providers needing to work during the emergency without full recertification.
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.
This New Jersey bill (A 1941) requires most health insurance plans sold in the state to cover hearing aids. It directly affects health insurers and policyholders by mandating coverage for one hearing aid per ear every 48 months (4 years) when prescribed by a licensed audiologist or hearing aid dispenser. The policy limits out-of-pocket costs to no more than 15% of the hearing aid's price, including copays or deductibles. This applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, group and individual health insurance policies, HMOs, and health benefits plans. The bill does not cover hearing aids for cosmetic purposes, only medically necessary ones.
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.
This New Jersey bill (A 2188) requires birthing centers, federally qualified health centers, and healthcare providers offering prenatal or postpartum care (within 12 weeks of birth) to screen patients showing symptoms of high blood pressure during or after pregnancy for preeclampsia. Providers must use evidence-based tools from recognized medical groups, inform patients about symptoms and evaluation benefits, and discuss results - developing treatment plans if preeclampsia is confirmed. The law applies to people who haven’t been previously diagnosed with the condition in the current or recent pregnancy. It aims to standardize early detection and care for a serious postpartum health risk.
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.
This bill increases accidental death benefits for firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, hazardous materials responders, and fire instructors in New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It raises the surviving spouse's pension from 50% to 70% of the member's final salary-based compensation (or $50,000, whichever is greater), and expands child benefits to 70% if no spouse survives. The bill also adds retroactive health insurance coverage for surviving spouses and children through employer-sponsored plans, and requires lump-sum payments for the difference between old and new benefits dating back to January 1, 2021. These changes align PERS accidental death benefits with those provided under the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) and other relevant state departments (Health, Human Services, Education) to post links and make available online information about "baby boxes" and safe sleep education on their websites. A "baby box" is defined as a durable cardboard box filled with essential newborn items (like diapers and wipes) and safe sleep resources, meeting U.S. safety standards. Departments must ensure the information is easily printable, prominently linked, and regularly updated. The bill directly affects expecting and new parents by improving access to this free program, which partners with The Baby Box Company to provide boxes after completing an online parenting course.
This bill requires all New Jersey municipalities to provide basic life support (BLS) ambulance services to meet community needs, designating BLS as an essential service. It specifies five ways municipalities can arrange these services: licensing private companies, contracting with public/private entities, creating mutual aid agreements with other towns, partnering with hospitals, or using existing fire/EMS departments. The law defines BLS as pre-hospital care including CPR, wound stabilization, and emergency transport. This policy change ensures consistent access to emergency medical care across the state by making BLS a mandatory municipal responsibility.
