This bill streamlines EMT-Basic certification in New Jersey for veterans who served as Combat Army Medics or Navy Hospital Corpsmen (or equivalent roles). It allows eligible veterans to bypass standard training requirements if they hold a current National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification, have served in those specific military roles, and pass a background check. The bill also requires the Department of Health to publish clear online guidance about these streamlined requirements. This directly affects honorably discharged veterans with qualifying military medical experience seeking EMT certification.
This New Jersey bill requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to disclose pricing methodologies in contracts, including whether they use different pricing lists for retail versus mail-order drugs, and to provide a toll-free line for consumers to speak with a New Jersey-licensed pharmacist about drug pricing issues within 24 hours. It establishes a Prescription Drug Review Commission to identify critical prescription drugs (based on factors like cost to public health programs and treatment effectiveness) and monitor their pricing. These measures aim to increase transparency in drug pricing and reduce costs for essential medications, directly affecting PBMs and the state's Division of Consumer Affairs.
This New Jersey bill requires doctors and podiatrists to inform patients in writing before referring them to an out-of-state health care facility if they have a financial or business relationship with that facility. The disclosure must detail the nature of the relationship, list comparable in-state facilities (in the patient's county and neighboring counties), and explain potential higher costs if the facility is out-of-network or involves additional transportation. Patients must receive this written notice at the time of referral, and practitioners must also post a summary of the disclosure in their office and on their website. The goal is to provide transparency about referral decisions and financial implications without restricting patient choice.
This bill grants patients with developmental disabilities in New Jersey hospitals the right to have a designated family member, guardian, direct support professional (DSP), or other caregiver accompany them throughout their entire hospital stay. Hospitals must provide an opportunity to make this designation at admission and document it in the medical record, with changes allowed upon 1-hour notice. The right does not apply during active surgery if the caregiver's presence would endanger the patient. It directly affects patients with developmental disabilities, their designated caregivers, and New Jersey hospitals. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill modifies New Jersey's Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund program by excluding up to $15,000 in community donations from a parent's or legal guardian's income when determining eligibility. The excluded donations must support "family living expenses" like travel, lodging, meals, and other costs directly tied to a child's catastrophic illness care. It ensures families receiving community fundraising aid for these specific expenses won't be disqualified from the program due to those funds. Current law did not allow such income exclusions, making this a direct policy change to support affected families.
This bill (A 3323) amends New Jersey's child custody jurisdiction law to protect families seeking gender-affirming health care for children. It adds that a child's presence in New Jersey for gender-affirming care (as defined in pending legislation) satisfies the legal requirement for a court to have jurisdiction over custody matters. This means parents or guardians can seek custody decisions in New Jersey if a child is receiving necessary care here, without needing to prove other connections to the state. The bill does not change health care standards but addresses jurisdictional barriers for families traveling for treatment. The bill was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Assembly Health Committee.
This bill grants children placed in resource family care (foster care) the right to have visible signage displayed in their home. Specifically, it requires three conspicuous signs listing contact information for child abuse hotlines and mental health services. The signage must be placed in clear view within the home, making it accessible to children who may need immediate assistance. This change directly affects children in foster care placements across New Jersey, ensuring they have clear access to support resources.
This bill allows New Jersey to join the Women's Reproductive Health Care Compact, a multi-state agreement. The compact requires member states to work together to protect patients and providers who seek or provide reproductive health care across state lines. Key provisions include preventing extradition or investigations against those involved in care, blocking forced disclosure of medical records, stopping penalties against providers (like license suspensions or insurance hikes), and banning data collection about patients' travel, costs, or barriers to care. It directly affects New Jersey residents traveling for care, out-of-state providers serving New Jersey patients, and medical facilities operating across participating states. The compact does not change New Jersey's own abortion laws but focuses on interstate cooperation to safeguard access.
This bill creates a voluntary contribution option on New Jersey's gross income tax returns, allowing taxpayers to direct part of their refund or add a contribution to the "New Jersey Reproductive Health Care Equitable Access Fund." Funds collected would be distributed equally each year to the three largest providers of reproductive health care services for Medicaid patients, to cover costs for low-income individuals seeking services. The bill defines "reproductive health care services" to include medical, surgical, counseling, and referral services related to pregnancy or pregnancy termination. It applies to tax returns for years beginning after enactment, with no requirement for taxpayer participation.
This bill (A 919) requires NJ FamilyCare providers to share specific information with parents or guardians before prescribing psychotropic drugs (like stimulants, anti-anxiety, or anti-psychotic medications) to children under 18 enrolled in the program. Providers must give the drug’s FDA-approved Medication Guide, details on evidence-based treatment alternatives, and instructions for accessing FDA safety reporting tools (like MedWatch). They must then obtain a signed consent form confirming parents understand risks, alternatives, and how to report side effects, and retain this form in the child’s medical record. The law directly affects NJ FamilyCare providers and the parents/guardians of minor patients receiving these medications.
