Bill

Bill > A4340


NJ A4340

NJ A4340
Imposes minimum staffing requirements and certain reporting requirements on certain long-term care facilities.


summary

Introduced
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill imposes minimum staffing requirements and certain reporting requirements on certain long-term care facilities. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Health (commissioner) is to establish a training program for health care providers in licensed long-term health care facilities that provide specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease, which is to include training on memory care therapy. Under the bill, the commissioner is to establish a minimum number of staff to be employed by a long-term care facility that provides specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, which staff is to be trained in providing care to patients with Alzheimer's disease. At least one staff member trained in memory care is to be present at all times in a long-term care facility that provides specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The commissioner is to require a long-term care facility that provides specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders to annually certify compliance with memory care practices, which is to include enrichment activities for patients, under standards promulgated by the commissioner. Under the bill, the commissioner is to contract with a third-party to review and track the antipsychotic drug administration practices of long-term care facilities to determine if those facilities excessively prescribe antipsychotic medication to patients with Alzheimer's disease in a manner that is harmful to those patients, as determined by a consensus of physicians with expertise in the administration of antipsychotic medication and Alzheimer's disease. The commissioner is to create a publicly available report summarizing data collected on the usage of antipsychotic medication by long-term care facilities and issue a plan for corrective action to a long-term care facility that is deemed to excessively prescribe antipsychotic medication to patients with Alzheimer's disease in a manner that is harmful to those patients. The bill provides that a long-term care facility that provides specialized care of patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders is to provide an annual report to the Department of Health containing data on the administration of antipsychotic mediation to patients with Alzheimer's disease, as determined by the department.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that the Commissioner of Health establish a training program for healthcare providers in long-term care facilities that offer specialized care for patients with Alzheimer's disease, including training on memory care therapy and methods for addressing the unique challenges of caring for these patients. The bill also requires the Commissioner to set minimum staffing levels for these specialized facilities, ensuring that staff are trained in Alzheimer's care, and mandates that at least one staff member trained in memory care be present at all times. Facilities will need to annually certify their compliance with memory care practices, which include patient enrichment activities. Furthermore, the Commissioner will contract with a third party to monitor and track the use of antipsychotic drugs in these facilities to identify any excessive or harmful prescribing, with a public report and corrective action plans to follow. Long-term care facilities providing specialized Alzheimer's care will also be required to submit annual reports to the Department of Health detailing antipsychotic medication administration for these patients.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 02/19/2026)

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