Healthcare

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 21, 2026

S 1250: Requires DHS to establish Alzheimer's disease public awareness campaign.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a public awareness and education program about Alzheimer's disease. The program must promote awareness of symptoms, early detection, and community resources through a public campaign, educational materials for healthcare providers, and specialized training for first responders, judicial staff, and social services personnel. It specifically mandates DHS to develop content covering disease symptoms, coping strategies, safety concerns, and treatment options, making this information available online in English and Spanish. The initiative directly affects New Jersey residents living with Alzheimer's, their caregivers, and the state's healthcare, emergency response, and legal systems. DHS may accept grants to fund the program but is required to implement it regardless of funding availability.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates DHS public awareness campaign for Alzheimer's, promoting early detection and community resources, aligns with public health support initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 3992: Increases cap on personal care assistant services from 40 hours to 91 hours per week for Medicaid beneficiary determined clinically eligible for nursing facility level of care.

This bill increases the weekly limit on personal care assistant services for Medicaid recipients who are clinically eligible for nursing facility care from 40 hours to 91 hours. The change applies to individuals receiving health-related assistance with daily living tasks in their homes or other settings under nurse supervision. To implement the increase, the Department of Human Services must update its assessment tools and seek necessary federal approval to cover the additional costs. The legislation takes effect immediately and aims to allow more people to remain in their communities rather than moving to institutional care.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases funding for Medicaid personal care services, strengthening support for vulnerable populations through expanded government assistance.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases weekly personal care assistant hours for Medicaid recipients, expanding healthcare access and services for vulnerable populations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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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 Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 2243: Requires each public institution of higher education to develop menstrual equity plan.*

S 2243 requires every public college and university in New Jersey to create a menstrual equity task force within six months of the law's effective date. The task force, appointed by each institution's president and including diverse campus stakeholders (students, faculty, housing, health centers, etc.), must develop a detailed plan for free menstrual product access within six months. The plan must cover product needs, distribution locations, costs, and a 12-month implementation timeline. Institutions must implement the approved plan within one year, ensuring equal access to menstrual products while reducing stigma. The bill defines "menstrual equity" as removing barriers to care and addressing stigma around menstruation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires free menstrual products in higher ed, improving student access and well-being, directly supporting educational access90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires free menstrual products in public colleges, improving access to essential health supplies for students, aligning with healthcare access indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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