Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 438: Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to beneficiary eligible for brain injury services.

This bill establishes a new minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. It requires these rates to match the average reimbursement for Day Habilitation Services (Tiers D and E) under the Division of Developmental Disabilities program, raising payments from $3.65 to $9.09 per 15-minute service unit. The policy directly affects approved brain injury service providers and beneficiaries receiving structured day care for traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries. It expands existing Medicaid reimbursement rules, which previously only covered community residential services for brain injury care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rate for brain injury services from $3.65 to $9.09/unit, directly boosting funding for healthcare providers serving beneficiaries.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 569: Establishes County-Based School Security Pilot Program in DOE; appropriates $15 million.

S 569 establishes a three-year County-Based School Security Pilot Program in Essex, Mercer, and Camden counties, directly affecting public school students and districts in those areas. The bill provides $15 million from the General Fund to fund two key components: county-based mental health services (including screenings, counseling, and crisis intervention) and enhanced school security infrastructure (such as active shooter training and bullet-resistant shields). The program requires collaboration between the Education Department and other state agencies, with annual reports to the Governor and Legislature evaluating the pilot's effectiveness. This initiative aims to address student mental health needs and physical security in participating school districts through concrete, funded provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $15M from General Fund for school security pilot program, funding essential public safety services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates $15M for school security infrastructure and mental health services in K-12 districts, directly funding student safety and support programs within education context.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health services (screenings, counseling) as key program component, directly advancing healthcare access for students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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signed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 30, 2026

S 2996: Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses.

This bill, S 2996, eliminates physician collaboration requirements for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice independently without supervision or joint protocols. It directly affects APNs - registered nurses with specialized training in primary and specialty care - and aims to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved communities and for populations facing barriers like low income or transportation challenges. The key provision removes statutory restrictions that previously limited APNs' scope of practice, aligning New Jersey with 24 states that grant full practice authority. The bill cites pandemic-era waivers (Executive Order No. 112) that allowed similar independent practice without adverse incidents, and notes APNs could reduce healthcare access disparities by over 38% if restrictions are lifted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves physician collaboration requirements for APNs, expanding independent practice to improve healthcare access in underserved communities and reduce barriers like transportation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 25, 2026

A 4070: Establishes "Privacy Protection Act"; concerns collection and sharing of certain personal information.

This New Jersey bill establishes the "Privacy Protection Act" to limit how government agencies and healthcare facilities collect and share certain personal information. It prohibits them from requesting details like immigration status, citizenship, social security numbers, or tax IDs unless necessary for specific public services, benefits, or healthcare delivery (with healthcare exceptions for patient safety). The bill requires written consent in the person's preferred language for sharing any collected data, detailing exactly what will be shared, why, and confirming consent is voluntary without retaliation. It also bans selling or sharing vehicle license plate data except under court orders, subpoenas, or with explicit written consent, and mandates government entities to update privacy policies within one year.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires written consent for sharing personal info in healthcare contexts, protecting patient privacy rights during treatment and delivery of services.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits collection of immigration status without necessity, reducing state cooperation with federal enforcement and protecting immigrant privacy.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts government/healthcare data collection/sharing and mandates consent, directly strengthening data privacy protections under technology policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 2551: Allows law enforcement agencies to distribute epinephrine to officers; requires training.

This bill, "Anthony Maruca’s Law," requires New Jersey law enforcement officers who have access to epinephrine auto-injectors to complete approved training on emergency administration. It allows police departments to provide these devices to officers for use during official duties, storing them in vehicles or medical kits per health department guidelines. The law directly affects officers employed by police departments and mandates certification of training completion for those using the devices. Key provisions include the training requirement and authorization for departments to maintain the injectors, with no new funding or cost mandates specified.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables law enforcement to administer epinephrine during emergencies, improving acute medical response access for allergic reactions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 3023: Provides certain protections to residents of long-term care facilities and long-term acute care hospitals.

S 3023 protects residents of long-term care facilities (like nursing homes and assisted living facilities) and long-term acute care hospitals by preventing facility staff, owners, or financially benefiting parties from managing residents' finances or serving as their legal representatives. It requires facilities to use standardized admission forms developed by the Department of Health, with input from stakeholders, and prohibits residents from signing non-standard documents during admission. The bill also gives residents a legal right to sue if facilities violate these protections, allowing recovery of damages, attorney fees, and punitive penalties for financial exploitation. These changes directly affect residents, their families, and facility operators by creating new safeguards against financial abuse during admission and care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents financial exploitation of residents in care facilities and standardizes admissions, protecting patient rights and safety in healthcare settings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 712: Establishes reproductive health travel advisory.

S 712 requires New Jersey's Department of State to create a public "Reproductive Health Travel Advisory" to help residents traveling while pregnant make informed decisions. The advisory will categorize all U.S. states using a color-coded system: "Blue" (full access without legal risk), "Yellow" (restricted access with potential legal consequences), and "Red" (extreme restrictions risking denial of emergency care). It will detail each state's laws on abortion bans, waiting periods, insurance coverage, and legal protections for patients and providers. The advisory must be posted on the state website and updated whenever another state changes its reproductive healthcare laws. This directly affects New Jersey residents who may need to travel during pregnancy for medical emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides reproductive health travel advisory to help residents make informed decisions about healthcare access during travel, supporting patient access to reproductive health information and services.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 2662: Requires midwives and physicians to provide pregnant women information on birthing options prior to delivery.

This bill requires midwives and physicians who provide obstetric care to give pregnant patients written, evidence-based information about all available birthing options (including hospital births, home births, scheduled procedures, and associated health risks) before labor begins. The information must be provided in English and at least seven common non-English languages spoken by limited-English-proficiency patients in New Jersey, based on census data. Providers must also offer annual language-appropriate education on these options during pregnancy. The law applies directly to pregnant patients receiving care from certified midwives or physicians in New Jersey, aiming to improve informed decision-making.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires providers to give evidence-based birthing options info, enhancing patient access and informed decision-making in obstetric care.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 162: Requires DOH to operate mobile cancer screening program; appropriates $100,000.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to launch a mobile cancer screening program within 180 days of its effective date. The program will use staffed mobile vehicles deployed across the state's northern, central, and southern regions, each operated by at least one qualified healthcare professional who determines screening methods based on their expertise and available equipment. The bill appropriates $100,000 from the state General Fund to fund this initiative and mandates a report to the Governor and Legislature within two years, summarizing results and suggesting future legislative action. The program directly affects New Jersey residents, particularly those in underserved areas who may gain easier access to cancer screenings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100,000 from General Fund for mobile cancer screening program, directly funding a public health initiative per bill text.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mobile cancer screenings via $100k appropriation, expanding access to preventative health services95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 2884: "Stop Sepsis Act"; Requires hospitals to establish sepsis recognition and treatment protocols, train staff, and establish quality measures.*

This bill requires all licensed general and special hospitals in New Jersey to create and implement evidence-based protocols for early sepsis recognition and treatment. The protocols must cover screening, treatment guidelines (with separate adult and pediatric components), infection source identification, antibiotic timing, and exclusion criteria for inappropriate cases. Hospitals must submit protocols to the Department of Health within 120 days of enactment, train staff regularly, and annually report data to track adherence and mortality rates for quality improvement. The law focuses on standardizing care for a life-threatening condition that can cause organ damage or death if untreated.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates evidence-based sepsis protocols to improve hospital care and patient outcomes, strengthening treatment standards and patient safety in healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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