Bill

Bill > A5392


NJ A5392

NJ A5392
Requires physicians and certain hospital employees to complete training on communication with and treatment of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.


summary

Introduced
03/06/2025
In Committee
03/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires physicians and certain hospital employees to complete training on communication with and treatment of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Under the bill, the State Board of Medical Examiners is to require that the number of credits of continuing medical education required of each person licensed as a physician include one credit of educational programs or topics concerning communication with and treatment of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. The bill provides that the Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Department of Human Services is to create a dedicated training and outreach unit to develop and administer a training program on communication with and treatment of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing for individuals who work in the emergency department of a general hospital licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.). In consultation with the Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Department of Human Services, the emergency department of a general hospital licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) is to develop a training protocol on proper communication and treatment of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing for employees who may interact with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing during the course of employment in the emergency department.

AI Summary

This bill requires physicians and hospital emergency department employees to receive specialized training on communicating with and treating individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Specifically, the State Board of Medical Examiners must now mandate that physicians complete one continuing medical education credit focused on communication and treatment of deaf or hard of hearing patients as a condition of their biennial registration. The Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Department of Human Services will be responsible for creating a dedicated training and outreach unit to develop a training program for emergency department hospital staff. Additionally, each general hospital's emergency department must collaborate with the Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing to create a specific training protocol for employees who may interact with deaf or hard of hearing patients. The goal of these requirements is to improve healthcare communication and treatment for individuals with hearing disabilities, ensuring that medical professionals are better equipped to provide inclusive and effective care. The bill will take effect 90 days after its enactment.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee (on 03/06/2025)

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