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NJ S2712

NJ S2712
Establishes minimum direct care staff-to-resident ratios in nursing homes.


summary

Introduced
07/22/2020
In Committee
09/21/2020
Crossed Over
09/24/2020
Passed
09/24/2020
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
10/23/2020

Introduced Session

2020-2021 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill establishes minimum ratios for the number of certified nurse aides (CNAs) to the number of residents in nursing homes. Under current regulations, the Department of Health requires nursing homes to meet a minimum number of hours of direct care staff-to-resident time per day. Under the bill, CNA-to-resident ratios will be as follows: (1) one CNA for every eight residents on the day shift; (2) one CNA for every 10 residents on the evening shift; and (3) one CNA for every 16 residents on the night shift. The bill sets forth a methodology for computing the appropriate ratio, and provides that a nursing home that experiences an increase in resident census is exempt from increasing the number of CNAs for nine consecutive shifts. Nothing in the bill would affect any other minimum staffing requirements as may be mandated by the Commissioner of Health for nursing home staff other than CNAs, and nothing in the bill would prohibit a nursing home from establishing staffing levels above the established minimum.

AI Summary

This bill establishes minimum ratios for the number of certified nurse aides (CNAs) to the number of residents in nursing homes. It requires one CNA for every eight residents on the day shift, one CNA for every 10 residents on the evening shift, and one CNA for every 14 residents on the night shift. The bill also creates a Special Task Force on Direct Care Workforce Retention and Recruitment to evaluate current staffing levels, examine policies and procedures, and develop recommendations for legislation and strategies to ensure an adequate direct care workforce. The bill provides that nursing homes are exempt from increasing CNA staffing for nine consecutive shifts after an increase in resident census.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (6)

Last Action

Approved P.L.2020, c.112. (on 10/23/2020)

bill text


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