SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3973

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 3, 2025

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 3973.

      This bill would revise the current law that criminalizes certain payments for the referral of patients to substance use disorder treatment facilities.

      The bill makes it a crime of the third degree for a person to make or receive a payment or otherwise furnish or receive any fee, commission, or rebate to any person in connection with the referral of patients to a facility licensed in accordance with section 8 of P.L.1975, c.305 (C.26:2B-14) for substance use disorder treatment or services or to a substance use disorder treatment facility issued a certificate of approval pursuant to P.L.1970, c.334 (C.26:2G-21 et seq.).  The bill  makes it a crime of the third degree for a person to knowingly assist, conspire with, or urge any person to make, furnish, or receive a payment, fee, commission, or rebate in violation of P.L.2021, c.31 (C.2C:40A-6).  Under current law, these offenses are crimes of the fourth degree.  The bill would also establish a fine of $50,000 that would automatically be applied to any person who violates these patient referral laws.

      The bill expressly includes health care providers, health care facilities, non-profit organizations, and recovery residences under the scope of these laws.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 3973 is identical to Senate Bill No. 3952, which was also reported by the committee on this date.