Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Committee Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate Health Committee releases a package of health bills including resolutions and regulatory updates
Summary
On Oct. 7 the committee released multiple bills and a joint resolution including S-3319 (PNA increase), S-3663 (travel advisory), SJR-55 (Self Care Awareness Month), tobacco-delivery restrictions, a home-childbirth coverage substitute, early intervention expansion, and DCF benefits protections.
The New Jersey Senate Health and Human Services Committee used its Oct. 7 agenda to release a set of health bills and one joint resolution after testimony and technical amendments.
Key committee actions at a glance:
- S-3319 (personal needs allowance): Released after testimony from a resident advocate and family caregivers urging an increase from $50 to about $140, indexed annually. (See separate coverage.)
- S-3663 (reproductive health travel advisory): Released after debate and opposition testimony arguing the advisory language could mislead residents about availability of life-saving care; sponsor agreed to ongoing drafting with state agencies.
- SJR-55 (self-care awareness month): The committee approved the joint resolution designating July as Self Care Awareness Month and released it with unanimous votes.
- S-3372 / A-1813 (tobacco and electronic smoking product delivery): Committee amendments clarified labeling and delivery restrictions; the senate bill was released as amended and matched to the assembly first reprint.
- S-1097 (home childbirth insurance coverage): Committee substitute broadened coverage to Medicaid and clarified covered services and providers; members discussed costs and ERISA limitations; substitute was released.
- S-3140 (early intervention expansion): Committee amendments corrected a federal citation (Part H to Part C of the federal early intervention law); the bill was released as amended after advocates described workforce and reimbursement challenges.
- S-3153 (DCF and use of child federal benefits): Committee amendments prohibit DCF from using a child's federal benefits for state reimbursement in a way that would jeopardize SSI eligibility, require monitoring/ABLE accounts and notification requirements; bill released as amended.
All motions were seconded and carried by recorded votes. Several bills carried technical committee amendments; supporters and opponents were given opportunities to place testimony in the record.
