Assembly committee advances maternal telehealth pilot, nursing‑home medication aides and child‑care waiting‑list bill
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Summary
The Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee released three bills: a Medicaid pilot to cover remote maternal health services, authorization for certified medication aides to administer medications in nursing homes, and amendments to create presumptive waiting‑list procedures for the State Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Supporters said the measures expand access; one lawmaker opposed the medication‑aide bill.
The Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee on (date of the session) advanced three bills covering maternal telehealth, nursing‑home staffing and child‑care waiting‑list reforms.
Committee members released A82202, a pilot to provide Medicaid coverage for remote maternal health services, after the sponsor and proponents told the panel it would expand access for Medicaid beneficiaries in rural and underserved areas. Dennis Marco of governmental affairs was recorded as in favor but did not testify. A motion to release the bill carried on a voice vote.
The panel also advanced A2207, the “Certified Medication Aid in Nursing Homes Staffing Support Act,” which would authorize certified medication aides to administer medications to nursing‑home residents. Dozens of provider groups and industry representatives—among them LeadingAge New Jersey and Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey—registered support and described the change as a workforce relief measure that allows registered and licensed practical nurses to practice at the top of their license. Megan Glassier of LeadingAge New Jersey urged lawmakers to vote yes, saying the bill "goes really far in the right direction in terms of helping with our workforce shortage." One committee member expressed principled opposition, arguing the measure lowers standards instead of addressing root causes of the nursing shortage; that member said he would vote no. The motion to release A2207 passed.
The committee also considered A2247, amended to require the Division of Family Development to maintain an official waiting list for the State Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). The amendments make applicants "presumptively eligible" for placement on the waiting list when they submit a completed self‑attestation form, designate contracted child‑care resource and referral agencies as access points, permit electronic applications, prohibit requiring pay stubs or tax returns to be placed on the list, and set a 10‑business‑day notification requirement about status changes. Witnesses including Amy Ragsdale of the Early Childhood Education Advocates and Althea Ford of NJBIA argued the reforms provide transparency and a clearer accounting of unmet need, which they said is essential to making the case for sustained funding.
Votes and procedural motions were recorded on the floor: committee members moved and seconded each bill for release. A2207 drew a recorded no vote from one member who voiced concerns about addressing workforce causes rather than standards; the other bills were released after sponsor testimony and committee discussion.
What happens next: Released bills move to the next committee or to the floor for further consideration under the Legislature’s calendar and the committees’ scheduling. The committee chair indicated she would follow up with witnesses and staff on additional questions raised during testimony.
