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NJ A3326

NJ A3326
Allows hospitals to construct housing and provide wrap-around services for individuals who are homeless or housing insecure.


summary

Introduced
02/25/2020
In Committee
03/08/2021
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/11/2022

Introduced Session

2020-2021 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill authorizes general acute care hospitals to adopt, as part of their missions, the goal of addressing issues related to homelessness. A hospital that chooses to address issues related to homelessness will be authorized to construct housing and provide wrap-around services for homeless persons who are treated at the hospital, which wrap-around services may include: (1) referrals to outpatient primary care and behavioral health care services; (2) appropriate follow-up care and treatment management assistance; (3) assistance identifying and procuring sources of health benefits coverage, including, but not limited to, coverage under the State Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs; and (4) assistance in identifying and accessing appropriate social services, including, but not limited to, food, transportation, housing, employment, and child care assistance. The provision of housing and wrap-around services for the homeless will be exempt from certificate of need requirements, and housing for the homeless constructed by a hospital will be deemed a permitted use in all residential and nonresidential districts of a municipality and will be exempt from local zoning restrictions. A hospital that constructs housing and provides wrap-around services for the homeless will be required to submit annual reports to the Legislature concerning any reductions in the number of charity care admissions at the hospital over the previous year.

AI Summary

This bill authorizes general acute care hospitals to adopt, as part of their missions, the goal of addressing issues related to homelessness and housing insecurity. Hospitals that choose to address these issues can construct, rehabilitate, or remediate housing and provide wrap-around services, such as referrals to primary and behavioral healthcare, follow-up care, assistance with healthcare coverage and social services. The housing constructed by hospitals will be deemed a permitted use in all residential and non-residential districts, exempt from local zoning restrictions and the Department of Health's licensing requirements. Hospitals that provide housing and wrap-around services must report annually to the Departments of Health and Human Services on any reductions in inpatient admissions and emergency department visits and increased usage of preventative care, which the departments will analyze and report to the Legislature.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (14)

Last Action

Substituted by S1676 (3R) (on 03/25/2021)

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