Bill > S3244

Introduced Session

This bill would revise the current law that criminalizes certain payments for the referral of patients to substance use disorder treatment facilities. The bill makes it a crime of the third degree for a person to make or receive a payment or otherwise furnish or receive any fee, commission, or rebate to any person in connection with the referral of patients to a facility licensed in accordance with section 8 of P.L.1975, c.305 (C.26:2B-14) for substance use disorder treatment or services or to a substance use disorder treatment facility issued a certificate of approval pursuant to P.L.1970, c.334 (C.26:2G-21 et seq.). The bill makes it a crime of the third degree for a person to knowingly assist, conspire with, or urge any person to make, furnish, or receive a payment, fee, commission, or rebate in violation of P.L.2021, c.31 (C.2C:40A-6). Under current law, these offenses are crimes of the fourth degree. The bill would also establish a fine of $50,000 that would automatically be applied to any person who violates these patient referral laws. The bill expressly includes health care providers, health care facilities, non-profit organizations, and recovery residences under the scope of these patient referral laws.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Brian Stack (D)*,  Douglas Steinhardt (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 05/16/2024)

Official Document