A 2691 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Increases personal needs allowance to $140 for low-income persons residing in certain facilities.

This bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $140 for low-income residents in nursing homes, state/county psychiatric hospitals, and state developmental centers. It directly affects eligible residents who receive medical assistance under New Jersey’s Medicaid program but are not eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The allowance is intended for personal discretionary spending on items like phone calls, meals out, clothing, or hobbies. The amount will automatically increase annually starting January 1 after enactment, adjusted by the same percentage as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action May 7, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended by the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee to expand the types of facilities whose residents qualify for the personal needs allowance (PNA) by adding 'special hospitals' alongside rooming or boarding houses and residential health care facilities. A new definition of 'special hospital' was added, covering hospitals providing comprehensive specialized diagnosis, care, treatment, and rehabilitation on an in-patient basis for specific patient categories. Two additional sponsors were added, and the bill status changed from introduced to committee-reported with amendments.

Scope change

The personal needs allowance provision now applies to residents of special hospitals in addition to rooming or boarding houses and residential health care facilities, broadening the population covered by the $140 minimum monthly allowance and its annual cost-of-living adjustment.

SCOPE

Added 'special hospital' as a new category of facility whose residents are entitled to the personal needs allowance, expanding coverage beyond just rooming or boarding houses and residential health care facilities.

Two additional Assembly members (Brennan and Quijano) were added as sponsors of the bill.

DEFINITION

Added a definition of 'special hospital' meaning any hospital that provides comprehensive specialized diagnosis, care treatment, and rehabilitation where applicable on an in-patient basis for one or more specific categories of patients.

TECHNICAL

The explanatory statement section at the end of the bill was removed, which is typical when a bill advances from introduction to committee report.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 7, 2026

Committee

Reported out of Asm. Comm. with Amendments, and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee

lower

3 primary · 11 co-sponsors