S 4186 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

"Dementia Dignity and Advance Care Planning Act."

This bill creates a new legal process for New Jersey residents with dementia to create specific advance care plans that outline their medical wishes for when they can no longer communicate. It allows individuals to formally request "comfort feeding only," which means receiving food and fluids by hand for comfort while prohibiting life-sustaining measures like feeding tubes. To ensure these plans are followed, the state will establish a secure online registry for healthcare providers to access, and facilities will be required to honor these documents. The legislation also includes protections for medical staff who act in good faith according to these directives and mandates training programs to help caregivers understand and implement the new rules.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced May 11, 2026 Last action May 11, 2026
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May 11, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Angela McKnight
Angela McKnight
DDemocratic
NJ
31