Provides certain protections to residents of long-term care facilities and long-term acute care hospitals.*

This bill strengthens protections for residents in New Jersey long-term care facilities (including nursing homes, assisted living centers, and dementia care homes) by preventing facility staff and affiliated parties from making legal or financial decisions for residents without court approval. It prohibits facility owners, administrators, or employees from serving as a resident's legal guardian or attorney-in-fact, while allowing family members to do so. The bill also mandates standardized admission forms developed by the state health department for new residents, bans requiring arbitration agreements at admission (with clear warnings about waiving jury trials), and gives residents a legal right to seek damages for violations. These changes aim to reduce conflicts of interest and safeguard resident autonomy.