Healthcare

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

A 4261: Requires DHS to develop enhanced training curriculum for direct support professionals.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to create a mandatory training program for direct support professionals working with individuals with developmental disabilities in community settings. The training, to be developed within 120 days of the bill's effective date, must be completed by new hires within 90 days of starting work or by current employees within 210 days. Key required topics include abuse/neglect prevention, first aid, CPR, medication administration, facility policies, and specialized care for conditions like seizures, multiple sclerosis, and behavioral health needs. The bill directly affects DHS, direct support professionals, and the individuals they serve in community residences.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates training for direct support professionals in healthcare-relevant skills (medication, CPR, abuse prevention), improving care quality for developmental disability patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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

A 355: Provides gross income tax credit for donations to eligible schools to assist in funding of student meals, medical supplies, and playground equipment.

This bill provides a nonrefundable 10% tax credit for New Jersey taxpayers who donate to eligible schools for specific purposes. It allows credits up to $500 per year for donations funding student meal programs, medical supplies for student treatment, or playground equipment (including shade structures). The credit applies to donations made to public or nonpublic elementary/secondary schools, with taxpayers required to obtain written documentation from the school to claim the credit. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit (reducing tax liability) to encourage donations for student meals, medical supplies, and playground equipment, promoting tax relief for essential public program funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credit for donations funding student meals, medical supplies, and playgrounds - directly enhances school resource access and infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds medical supplies for student treatment via tax credits, directly supporting school health services and access to medical resources.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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

A 3471: Requires AOC to release domestic violence central registry records to certain health care practitioners.

This bill requires New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to share domestic violence registry records with specific licensed healthcare providers. It directly affects healthcare professionals (like doctors, nurses, and therapists) who have a legal duty to warn patients about potential violence under existing law. The key change expands current access rules to allow these providers to view the registry when they have a duty to protect a patient from domestic violence. Records remain confidential and can only be used for this specific safety purpose, with violations punishable as a fourth-degree crime.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands domestic violence registry access for healthcare providers to protect victims, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim safety and prevention.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands healthcare providers' access to domestic violence registry to protect patients, fulfilling legal duty to warn and enhancing patient safety in care settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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

A 289: Requires health care practitioners prescribing opioid medications to limit amount of prescribed medication to seven-day supply, except in certain circumstances.

This bill would require doctors to prescribe no more than a seven-day supply of opioid pain medications for new patients with acute pain (short-term pain like injuries or surgery), except in specific cases. Doctors must also discuss addiction risks with patients, document medical history and pain management plans, and obtain patient agreements for long-term opioid use. It applies to initial opioid prescriptions for acute pain but excludes chronic pain, cancer care, hospice, or end-of-life treatment. The law aims to reduce opioid overuse by limiting initial doses and improving patient education, with additional review requirements for prescriptions lasting three months or longer.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareLimits opioid prescriptions for acute pain to prevent addiction, aligning with public health safety measures in healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 3590: Requires DOLWD to identify and recruit unemployed individuals for employment in healthcare facilities, home care services, and hospice services; makes appropriation.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to create a program identifying and recruiting unemployed residents for jobs in healthcare facilities, home care, and hospice services. It mandates that the recruitment process evaluate training feasibility for specific roles, consider job proximity to applicants' homes and transportation options, and address immediate barriers to employment. The bill appropriates $250,000 from the state General Fund to fund training programs and resources, using existing DOLWD infrastructure. It directly affects unemployed individuals seeking healthcare sector employment and healthcare stakeholders collaborating with DOLWD.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $250,000 from state General Fund to fund healthcare job recruitment program, directly advancing state budget allocation for workforce development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $250k to recruit unemployed individuals for healthcare/home care/hospice jobs, directly expanding workforce capacity and improving service access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates DOLWD recruitment of unemployed for healthcare/home care jobs, addresses employment barriers, and appropriates $250k - directly advances workforce access and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Workforce Development

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 18, 2026

A 1502: "Patient and Provider Protection Act."

This bill regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and insurance carriers to increase transparency and fairness in prescription drug coverage. It requires carriers and PBMs to establish pharmacy and therapeutics committees with strict conflict-of-interest rules, prohibits commission-based PBM compensation (mandating flat fees instead), and mandates detailed reporting of PBM fees for insurance filings. The law directly affects insurers, PBMs, and pharmacies by changing how drug formularies (approved drug lists) are managed and how PBM costs are calculated and disclosed. Key provisions include banning preferential formulary placement for higher-cost drugs over lower-cost generics/biosimilars and requiring actuarial documentation for PBM compensation. The bill aims to reduce patient cost-sharing and ensure PBM compensation aligns with administrative costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates PBMs/insurers for transparency, fairness in drug coverage, bans commission-based fees, and mandates detailed reporting - directly protects patient access and rights in healthcare.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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

A 3138: Establishes "Count the Kicks" public awareness campaign.

This bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Health to create a "Count the Kicks" public awareness campaign. It directly affects pregnant women in New Jersey by providing information on tracking fetal movements in the third trimester, including why movement matters for fetal health, how to monitor kicks per medical guidelines, and the correlation between tracking and reduced stillbirth risk. The campaign must be available online in English and Spanish and distributed through healthcare providers, WIC centers, pharmacies, libraries, and community organizations. The Commissioner must also report on the campaign's progress to the Governor and Legislature within two years. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates public health campaign for fetal movement tracking to reduce stillbirths, advancing preventive healthcare access and public health initiatives.95% confidence

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

A 2217: Codifies authority for certain health care providers to provide abortions and clarifies certain operational requirements for abortion facilities.

This bill codifies current regulations allowing more healthcare providers (including nurse practitioners and physician assistants) to perform abortions in New Jersey, which has been permitted since 2021. It removes medically unnecessary facility requirements that increase costs and create barriers to care, such as excessive licensing rules. The bill amends licensing statutes to clarify that abortion facilities must meet basic safety standards but eliminates non-essential mandates that don't improve patient health. This change directly affects abortion providers and patients seeking timely, affordable reproductive care across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves unnecessary facility requirements and expands provider access for abortion care, improving patient access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Women's Health

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

A 1014: Establishes "Kidney Disease Prevention and Education Task Force."

Bill A 1014 establishes a 11-member "Kidney Disease Prevention and Education Task Force" within New Jersey's Department of Health. The task force will develop public awareness campaigns about early kidney disease detection, examine racial disparities in kidney care access and outcomes, and recommend statewide screening and treatment plans. It includes legislative leaders, health officials, and public members such as a nephrologist, dialysis center representative, and a patient with kidney disease (Stages 2-4). The task force must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within two years, after which it will dissolve. This bill directly affects New Jersey residents, particularly those in communities disproportionately impacted by kidney disease, including Black and Hispanic populations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates task force to develop kidney disease prevention programs, address disparities, and recommend screening plans, advancing public health access and early detection initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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

A 1916: Requires DOH to establish maternity care evaluation protocols.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create standardized protocols for hospitals and licensed birthing centers to collect and report detailed, de-identified data on maternity care. The data must cover specific metrics like maternal health conditions (e.g., hypertension, hemorrhage), delivery methods (e.g., induction timing, cesarean rates), and infant outcomes (e.g., birth weight, complications). The DOH will annually evaluate this data to set statewide benchmarks, identify quality improvement opportunities, and compare hospital performance. Results and recommendations must be reported to the Governor and Legislature yearly, aiming to enhance maternal and infant health outcomes through data-driven care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires standardized data collection for maternity care evaluation to set statewide benchmarks, improving healthcare quality and patient outcomes in maternal/infant services.90% confidence

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

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