Bills in the 2024–2025 Session, Senate.
Joseph F. Vitale
Sponsored
Became law8
Regulates provision of pharmaceutical services in long-term care facilities.
Provides for designation and establishment of Public Health Institute in New Jersey.
Enhances enforcement authority over developmental disability service providers; establishes "Residential Facility Quality of Care Improvement Fund" in DHS.
Establishes "Disability Mortality and Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee" in DHS; makes appropriation.
Revises certain provisions concerning, and establishes certain education and data reporting requirements related to, involuntary commitment.*
Establishes Department of Veterans Affairs.
Expands New Jersey's certificate of need exemption list.
Revises certain references to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in statutory and regulatory law; Requires health benefits coverage for certain immunizations recommended by DOH.*
Passed the Senate2
Provides certain protections to residents of long-term care facilities and long-term acute care hospitals.*
Permits procurement of medical countermeasures, products, and therapeutics.
Out of committee30
Requires children's meals served in chain restaurants to meet certain nutritional standards.*
Establishes certain requirements and initiatives related to nurses; appropriates funds.*
Expands scope of Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
Establishes requirements for sanctions and other actions involving low-performing nursing homes.
Establishes "Mission Critical Long-Term Care Teams"; provides for identification of and intervention at long-term care facilities at risk of operational and financial distress.
Requires automatic registration with New Jersey Immunization Information System upon administration of vaccine for certain persons who consent to registration.
Imposes certain rate filing requirements concerning certain health benefits plans available on State-based exchange.
Expands authority of pharmacy technician in administering drugs and vaccines and permits certain pharmacists and pharmacy interns, externs, and technicians to administer COVID-19 vaccine.*
Requires DOH to evaluate hospital compliance with federal hospital price transparency requirements.*
Clarifies cap on fees imposed, and modifies definition of participating county, under "County Option Hospital Fee Program Act."*
Allows for natural organic reduction and controlled supervised decomposition of human remains.
Prohibits delivery of electronic smoking devices and tobacco products to individuals under 21 years of age.
Clarifies coverage requirements for health insurers of over-the-counter contraceptive drugs.
Revises definition of qualified assistance fund expenses under UEZ program to include costs of transportation infrastructure projects and related debt service.
Removes certain limitations on recovery for victims of certain sexual offenses.
Codifies and extends authorization for certain out-of-State health care practitioners and recent graduates of health care training programs to practice in New Jersey.
Requires use of merchant category codes for purchases of firearms and ammunition.
Establishes framework for appointment of receiver for provider of services to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Allows unexpended balance of FY2024 appropriation for City of Perth Amboy - Convery Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge to be used by municipality for pedestrian safety infrastructure projects.*
Requires Medicaid coverage for fertility preservation services in cases of iatrogenic infertility caused by medically necessary treatments.
Appropriates $49.5 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to DEP for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes, including Blue Acres projects, and Green Acres Program administrative costs.
Revises law concerning patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences, and clinical laboratories.*
Prohibits use of deceptive marketing practices by substance use disorder treatment providers.
Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for screening, prevention, and treatment services of behavioral health issues affecting children.
Creates Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission, Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency, and hospital price transparency regulations.*
Establishes telecommunication fee to support Statewide behavioral health crisis system of care.
"Healthcare Finance Enhancement Act."
Shifts $45 million appropriation for opioid related care and treatment provided at certain hospitals from Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund to General Fund.*
Establishes pilot program to support hospitals that maintain certain services when relocating; appropriates $3 million.
Requires DHS to study ways to increase collaboration among certain Statewide entities to optimize federal and State Medicaid resources; appropriates $250,000.*
In committee91
Requires public and nonpublic secondary schools to annually conduct written or verbal substance use screening on all students using a particular screening program.
Requires restaurants to provide healthy beverages with meals designated for children.
Concerns family leave and gestational carriers.
Establishes minimum registered professional nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities.
Prohibits sale of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices at certain pharmacies.
Requires workers' compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances.
Allows costs of medical cannabis to be reimbursed by Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, PAAD, Senior Gold and VCCO.
Requires each principal department in Executive Branch to conduct review of department's COVID-19 preparedness, response, and recovery and make recommendations.
Amends law to extend length of postpartum coverage for Medicaid services for eligible pregnant women to 180-day period.
Prohibits sale of flavored cigarettes, non-premium cigars, and oral nicotine pouches.
Revises reporting requirements for nursing homes concerning financial disclosures and ownership structure.
Requires procurement of management support and other services for certain nursing homes.
Requires school districts to provide instruction on bleed control as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.
Creates certain protections for insurers and insurance producers engaging in business of insurance in connection with cannabis-related businesses.
Amends Fiscal Year 2024 annual appropriations act to extend ANCHOR Property Tax Relief Program eligibility to homestead owners and tenants who made payments in lieu of taxes.
Eliminates fee for filing certified copy of name change order.
Concerns social media privacy and data management for children and establishes New Jersey Children's Data Protection Commission.
Requires helmet while operating bicycle, scooter, or motorized scooter.
Provides for presumptive eligibility for home and community-based services and services provided through program of all-inclusive care for the elderly under Medicaid.
Requires automatic enrollment of certain persons recently ineligible for Medicaid in health benefits plan; requires DHS to electronically publish certain data regarding NJ FamilyCare eligibility renewals and call center performance.
Prohibits social media platforms from using certain practices or features that cause child users to become addicted to platform.
Revises health insurance coverage requirements for treatment of infertility.
Revises law establishing Office of Food Security Advocate, and establishes certain conditions for use of monies appropriated to emergency food organizations.
Provides categorical eligibility for subsidized child care services to certain child care workers.
Establishes Office of Child Advocate.
Permits minors 13 years of age and older to consent to behavioral health care services.
Establishes "New Jersey Living Donor Support Program" in DOH; makes appropriation.
Expands exemptions from drug paraphernalia laws to also exempt certain harm reduction supplies.
Creates "Midwifery Licensing Act;" modifies regulation of midwifery.
Requires study and implementation of reference-based pricing for SHBP and SEHBP.
Authorizes State Treasurer to sell as surplus certain real property and improvements in Township of Woodbridge in Middlesex County.
Establishes Interagency Council on Homelessness.
Excludes certain income earned from health promotion or disease prevention work from income eligibility determination under NJ FamilyCare, WFNJ, and NJ SNAP.
Establishes Cannabis Certified Worker Grant Program and Social Equity Certified Worker Hiring Grant Program; makes appropriation.
Requires age verification and parent or guardian consent for minor's use of social media platform; prohibits certain messaging between adults and minors on social media platform.
Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses.
Removes exemption from law regulating patient referrals.
Requires SHBP, SEHBP, Medicaid, and NJ FamilyCare to cover anti-obesity medications.
Permits State employees not covered by collective negotiations agreements to enroll in certain negotiated health care plans.
Establishes Restaurant Meals Program in DHS; permits certain individuals to use SNAP benefits at approved restaurants; requires participation by certain restaurants operated by institutions of higher education.
Establishes "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act."
Requires State provider subsidy payments for child care services to be based on enrollment.
Requires long-term care facility to post certain information on its Internet website regarding Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
Provides corporation business tax credit for certain investment in manufacturing equipment and manufacturing facility renovation, modernization, and expansion, or hiring and training of new employees for manufacturing purposes.
Provides for transfer and sale of inactive liquor licenses for use in qualifying smart growth municipalities.
Establishes gross income tax credit for cost of certain postage for sending goods to members of United States Armed Forces and National Guard who are serving their country away from home.
Requires DHS to develop incentives to encourage private investment in child care deserts.
Requires DHS to establish quality-based reimbursement system for registered family child care providers participating in Grow NJ Kids.
Allows gross income tax credit for certain child care staff and registered family day care providers.
Creates New Jersey Board of Paramedicine.
Creates Health Care Cost Containment Commission; appropriates $5 million.
Establishes act of disseminating misinformation as professional misconduct for health care professionals.
Provides for independent prescriptive authority for midwives.
Prohibits business entities from selling or manufacturing certain personal flotation devices not approved by United States Coast Guard.
Requires cost sharing amounts for certain prescription drug benefits to be based on final cost to carrier.
Requires detailed disclosure of information concerning required payments in lieu of property taxes to be provided to purchaser of real property constructed pursuant to financial agreement containing long term tax exemption.
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.
Revises statutory definition of "elevated blood lead level."
Clarifies that bribery statute applies to unlawful gratuities received either before or after official acts.
Requires Medicaid and health insurance network contracts to provide participating health care providers with certain notifications.
Establishes certain governance and service standards for developmental disability service providers; appropriates $300,000.
Requires certain providers of substance or alcohol use disorder treatment, services, or supports to be assessed for conflicts of interest prior to receiving State funds, licensure, or certification.
Establishes oversight and qualifications of peer recovery specialists.
Provides for licensure of emergency medical responders and emergency medical technicians and certification of mobility assistance vehicle operators; revises requirements for delivery of emergency medical and patient transportation services.
Clarifies DHS authority to regulate sober living homes and halfway houses as residential substance abuse aftercare facilities; requires background checks and other protections for residents of residential substance abuse facilities.
Requires each school district with middle school or high school to establish food services advisory committee to consider menu options that reflect students' cultural, traditional, and dietary preferences.
Provides for annual fellowship stipends for Direct Support Professional Career Development Program participants.
Designates minimum percentage of residential substance use disorder treatment facility beds for use by NJ FamilyCare eligible individuals as condition for licensure.
Requires DOH to purchase xylazine test strips to be distributed to entities that provide authorized harm reduction services; makes appropriation.
Transfers oversight to certified nurse aides from DOH to Board of Nursing.
Appropriates $10 million to Department of Treasury for nurse preceptor tax credits.
Establishes Nursing School Expansion Grant Program; appropriates $25 million.
Prohibits targeted advertisements that promote vapor products or use of vapor products to individuals under the age of 21 on social media platforms.
Prohibits NJT from displaying advertisements that promote gambling, tobacco products, or vapor products.
Authorizes voluntary post-adoption contact agreements.
Limits estate recovery under Medicaid to federal mandated recovery for nursing home care and other long-term care costs.
"Healthy Smiles Act"; increases NJ FamilyCare fee-for-service reimbursement rates for pediatric dental services; requires NJ FamilyCare managed care rates for identical services be no less than fee-for-service rates.
Requires certain businesses to submit excess food reduction plan to DEP; provides CBT credit to eligible businesses that reduce excess food by 25 percent.
Provides phased-in increases in cigarette tax rate over four-year period.
Revises territorial rating plans used by insurers writing private passenger automobile insurance.
Revises assessment imposed on nursing homes if permissible under federal law.
Requires Medicaid coverage for continuous glucose monitors and related supplies for individuals diagnosed with diabetes who meet certain coverage eligibility criteria.
Increases tax rate on liquid nicotine and container e-liquid.
Requires certain golf courses to maintain automated external defibrillator.
Requires public and nonpublic school athletic coaches to obtain certification in automated external defibrillator operation and first aid; updates requirements of emergency action plan for sports-related injury.
Requires health benefits coverage for certain immunizations recommended by DOH.
Requires volunteers, employees, and organizers of certain youth and sports organizations to receive criminal history record background checks.
Increases scope of practice for licensed practical nurses and patient care technicians under certain circumstances.
Modifies tax rate on certain tobacco and nicotine products.
Increases penalties for certain prohibited sales of tobacco and vapor products.
Requires hospitals to maintain minimum services when relocating from underserved community.
Carried from the General Assembly
Became law13
Prohibits delivery of electronic smoking devices and tobacco products to individuals under 21 years of age.
Expands authority of pharmacy technician in administering drugs and vaccines and permits certain pharmacists and pharmacy interns, externs, and technicians to administer COVID-19 vaccine.*
Clarifies cap on fees imposed, and modifies definition of participating county, under "County Option Hospital Fee Program Act."*
Revises law concerning patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities, recovery residences, and clinical laboratories.*
Prohibits use of deceptive marketing practices by substance use disorder treatment providers.
Allows for natural organic reduction and controlled supervised decomposition of human remains.
Revises definition of qualified assistance fund expenses under UEZ program to include costs of transportation infrastructure projects and related debt service.
Removes certain limitations on recovery for victims of certain sexual offenses.
Allows unexpended balance of FY2024 appropriation for City of Perth Amboy - Convery Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge to be used by municipality for pedestrian safety infrastructure projects.*
Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for screening, prevention, and treatment services of behavioral health issues affecting children.
Appropriates $49.5 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to DEP for State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes, including Blue Acres projects, and Green Acres Program administrative costs.
"Healthcare Finance Enhancement Act."
Establishes pilot program to support hospitals that maintain certain services when relocating; appropriates $3 million.
Co-sponsored
Became law · 8
Requires DCPP to consult with Division of Developmental Disabilities following finding of child abuse or neglect to create services plan for person with developmental disability under certain circumstances.
Requires public and certain nonpublic schools to comply with breakfast and lunch standards adopted by USDA.*
Establishes Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Therapy Pilot Program; appropriates $6 million.**
"Equitable Outcomes in Child Support Collection Act"; establishes procedures regarding collection of child support on behalf of children in custody of DCPP.
Allows complaint for guardianship of minor to be filed six months before minor reaches age 18 under certain circumstances; establishes certain standards for filing guardianship complaints.
Requires boards of education to ensure that all staff are trained in care of students with epilepsy and seizure disorders every five years.*
Provides grant to study and map mental health care resources for children; makes appropriation.
Revises definition of child abuse or neglect to include persons between 18 and 21 years of age in certain settings.
Passed the Senate · 3
Lowers age at which minors can consent to behavioral health care treatment from age 16 to age 14.
Establishes "New Jersey Out-of-School Time Advisory Commission" to review before-school, after-school, and summer programs.
Codifies Medicaid coverage for eligible pregnant women for 365-day period beginning on last day of pregnancy.
Out of committee · 19
Permits PERS retiree to return to elective public office after retirement under certain circumstances.
Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in, and requires divestment from, 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies.
Requires DHS and DCF to conduct study on service provider workforce, and to evaluate rates paid to, and assess cost of living adjustments for, service providers.*
Requires hospitals to establish sepsis recognition and treatment protocols.
Establishes minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain ambulance transportation services.*
Eliminates smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities.
Increases amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues dedicated to anti-smoking initiatives from one to three percent.
Requires DHS and State Board of Medical Examiners to develop and implement process to improve efficiency of reviewing NJ FamilyCare provider applications.*
Requires minimum annual State appropriation of $10 million for Public Health Priority Funding.
Requires Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain primary and mental health care services match reimbursement rates under Medicare.
Requires DHS and DOH, respectively, to provide information on SNAP, WFNJ, and WIC recipients regarding card skimming, cloning, and similar fraudulent activities and to replace stolen benefits; makes appropriation.
Modifies tax on certain forms of online gaming and wagering.
Expands eligibility requirements of State's child care assistance program to include full-time graduate and post-graduate students.
Establishes Office of Veteran Advocate and ombudsman for DMVA; appropriates funds.
"Polluters Pay to Make New Jersey More Affordable Act"; imposes liability on certain fossil fuel companies for funds needed for climate change adaptation projects; establishes program in DEP to collect and distribute funds.*
Requires DHS and DCF to employ, or contract with, Director of Medical Services; appropriates $480,000.*
Mandates Division of Developmental Disabilities service providers to complete workforce survey.
Permits individuals to establish voluntary nonopioid directives.
Modifies tax rate on certain nicotine products.*
In committee · 19
Expands Medicare health care coverage to all New Jersey residents.
Enters New Jersey into Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact.
Adopts Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact.
Requires public school student with concussion to be evaluated by physician or other licensed health care provider before return to school and return to physical activity at school.
Authorizes home cultivation of medical cannabis.
Prohibits government dealings with businesses associated with Azerbaijan.
Broadens eligibility for certain veterans' benefits by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Requires DHS to establish a pilot program covering menstrual hygiene products under Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare.
Requires DCF and DOE to establish policies and procedures relating to child abuse and neglect and child abuse prevention during certain public health emergencies.
Extends duration of law requiring certain provider subsidy payments for child care services be based on enrollment.
Provides temporary corporation business tax and gross income tax credits for certain employer-provided child care expenditures.
Extends child care subsidies to families earning up to 300 percent of federal poverty level; appropriates funds.
Increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for primary care services; appropriates $20 million.
Establishes program to subsidize purchase price of medical cannabis for registered qualifying patients enrolled in Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare programs.
Requires DOH to use Basic Screening Survey to access oral health in children.
"Electronic Cigarette Extended Producer Responsibility Act."
Establishes certain protections for health care professionals who receive behavioral health care and apply for State licensure.
Directs DHS to establish Children's Partial Hospitalization Pilot Program.
Imposes tax on collection of consumer data in certain instances; dedicates portion of annual revenues to support 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline.