Bill

Bill > A787


NJ A787

NJ A787
Regulates use of social care information.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill regulates the use of social care information. The bill defines "Closed-Loop Referral System" or "CLRS" to mean any system that stores the social care information of one or more individuals; enables the sharing of social care information with and between participating entities for the purpose of referring individuals for social care; and is capable of updating or showing updated referral activity, including data related to participating organizations completing referrals. "Participating organization" means any entity that has the ability to create, receive, or update referrals, or other social care information in a CLRS, including, but not limited to, healthcare providers, health plans, public agencies, charitable and nonprofit organizations, CLRS technology vendors, and entities that provide social care. "Social care" means care, services, goods, or supplies related to an individual's social needs. "Social care" includes, but is not limited to, support and assistance for an individual's food stability and nutritional needs, housing, transportation, economic stability, employment, education access and quality, child care and family relationship needs, and environmental and physical safety. "Social care information" means any information that relates to the need for, payment for, or provision of social care, and identifies the person receiving social care, or for which there is a reasonable basis to believe the information can be used to identify the individual receiving social care. The bill provides that a participating organization is not to sell or license social care information that is stored in or transmitted through a closed-loop referral system. Under the bill, social care information stored in or transmitted through a closed-loop referral system is not to be used for any purpose other than the purpose for which that information was collected or generated. The bill provides that a participating organization that sells, offers for sale, licenses, or otherwise furnishes, provides, or transmits to any other individual or entity social care information in violation of the bill's provisions is to be liable to a civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation.

AI Summary

This bill establishes regulations for the use of "social care information," which is any information about an individual's need for, payment for, or provision of social care, including services related to food, housing, transportation, employment, and safety, that can identify the individual. It defines a "Closed-Loop Referral System" or "CLRS" as a system that stores and shares this information among "participating organizations" – which can include healthcare providers, public agencies, and non-profits – for the purpose of referring individuals for social care, and can track referral progress. The bill prohibits participating organizations from selling or licensing social care information stored or transmitted through a CLRS, and mandates that such information can only be used for the specific purpose it was collected or generated for. Violations of these provisions can result in a civil penalty of $1,000 per violation, with enforcement handled by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The bill also requires the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs to adopt necessary rules and regulations for its implementation and will take effect 180 days after enactment.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 01/13/2026)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...