New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A3194

Introduced
1/9/24  

Caption

Establishes testing and visitation requirements and employment restrictions for long-term care facilities in response to outbreaks of infectious disease.

Impact

The ramifications of A3194 are significant for the management and operation of long-term care facilities statewide. The act advocates for enhanced safety through rigorous health measures meant to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases, particularly highlighting the need for isolated accommodation for residents who are exposed to or test positive. Furthermore, it restricts employment to ensure that care workers may only serve at one facility to reduce cross-contamination risks, thereby reshaping staffing norms within the healthcare system for these facilities.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3194 implements stringent testing, operational, and visitation standards for long-term care facilities amid outbreaks of infectious diseases. All staff providing services in these facilities are mandated to undergo weekly testing for active infections, which must also occur immediately upon any presentation of symptoms. This bill includes provisions for how testing is to be administered and who bears the costs associated with it, ensuring that costs not covered by health plans are shared between residents and facilities. For larger facilities with over 100 beds, testing should be available on-site, with local health boards supporting smaller facilities in obtaining necessary tests.

Contention

Discourse surrounding this bill may highlight concerns regarding operational difficulties it may impose on facilities, including increased financial burdens related to testing and potential staffing shortages. Critics may argue that while the intention is to safeguard residents—who are often among the most vulnerable populations—the required isolation measures and employment restrictions could lead to operational challenges. Additionally, there may be discussions regarding the balance between necessary health protocols and the autonomy of nursing homes in grounds of differing capacities to fulfill the requirements laid out by the bill.

Companion Bills

NJ S236

Carry Over "Sally's Law"; establishes testing and visitation requirements and employment restrictions for long-term care facilities in response to outbreaks of infectious disease.

NJ A358

Carry Over Establishes testing and visitation requirements and employment restrictions for long-term care facilities in response to outbreaks of infectious disease.

Previously Filed As

NJ A358

Establishes testing and visitation requirements and employment restrictions for long-term care facilities in response to outbreaks of infectious disease.

NJ S236

"Sally's Law"; establishes testing and visitation requirements and employment restrictions for long-term care facilities in response to outbreaks of infectious disease.

NJ A1308

Establishes "Long-Term Care Facility Infectious Disease Preparedness and Home Health Care Study Commission."

NJ A5012

Requires long-term care facilities to develop person-centered care plans for residents and establishes right to certain forms of visitation for long-term care residents.

NJ A4040

Requires long-term care facilities to develop person-centered care plans for residents and establishes right to certain forms of visitation for long-term care residents.

NJ A4149

Revises infection control regulation in long-term care facilities.

NJ A330

Establishes "Long-Term Care Facility Infectious Disease Preparedness and Home Health Care Study Commission."

NJ S1825

Requires long-term care facilities to develop person-centered care plans for residents and establishes right to certain forms of visitation for long-term care residents.

NJ HB06000

An Act Requiring Long-term Care Facilities To Develop A Plan For Responding To Outbreaks Of Infectious Disease And Other Situations That Result In A Reduction In Staffing Capacity.

NJ S3200

Revises infection control regulation in long-term care facilities.

Similar Bills

NJ A358

Establishes testing and visitation requirements and employment restrictions for long-term care facilities in response to outbreaks of infectious disease.

NJ S236

"Sally's Law"; establishes testing and visitation requirements and employment restrictions for long-term care facilities in response to outbreaks of infectious disease.

MA H5033

To improve quality and oversight of long-term care

MA S2889

Site Information & Links

MI HB4830

Health: other; department authority to limit patient visitation in qualified health care facilities; restrict. Amends secs. 2253 & 5145 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.2253 & 333.5145).

MI SB0400

Health: other; department authority to limit patient visitation in qualified health care facilities; restrict. Amends secs. 2253 & 5145 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.2253 & 333.5145).

MA S2900

Site Information & Links

NJ A4719

Consolidates and makes technical updates to certain definitions used in Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.