ASSEMBLY, No. 6119
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED NOVEMBER 24, 2025
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman LOUIS D. GREENWALD
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Haider
SYNOPSIS
Expands New Jersey’s certificate of need exemption list.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Health Committee on December 11, 2025, with amendments.
An Act concerning neonatal care and amending P.L.1992, c.160.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 19 of P.L.1992, c.160 (C.26:2H-7a) is amended to read as follows:
19. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7 of P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-7) to the contrary, the following are exempt from the certificate of need requirement:
Community-based primary care centers;
Outpatient drug and alcohol services;
Hospital-based medical detoxification for drugs and alcohol;
Ambulance and invalid coach services;
Mental health services which are non-bed related outpatient services;
Full service diagnostic catheterization services, primary angioplasty services, and elective angioplasty services in accordance with a license issued under section 2 of P.L.2021, c.18 (C.26:2H-7.23);
Residential health care facility services;
Dementia care homes;
Capital improvements and renovations to health care facilities;
Additions of medical/surgical, adult intensive care and adult critical care beds in hospitals;
1[An addition] A 25 percent increase in the number1 of intermediate or intensive bassinets in a health care facility that provides inpatient, maternity services, irrespective of 1[whether the health care facility has an existing certificate of need to provide neonatal care services;] the changes that the Department of Health shall make to the certificate of need process for neonatal care unit expansions, as required pursuant to the provisions of this act;1 however, a reduction of intermediate or intensive bassinets in a health care facility that provides inpatient, maternity services, shall not be exempt from the certificate of need requirement;
An increase in the level of neonatal care designation of a health care facility that provides inpatient, maternity services, 1[irrespective of whether the health care facility has an existing certificate of need to provide neonatal care services;] with the exception of a health care facility with a designation as a regional perinatal center, shall be exempt from the certificate of need requirement;1 however, 1a health care facility with a designation as a regional perinatal center or1 a decrease in the level of neonatal care designation of a health care facility that provides inpatient, maternity services, shall not be exempt from the certificate of need requirement;
Inpatient special psychiatric beds used solely for services for patients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders;
Replacement of existing major moveable equipment;
Inpatient operating rooms;
Alternate family care programs;
Hospital-based subacute care;
Ambulatory care facilities;
Comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation services;
Special child health clinics;
New technology in accordance with the provisions of section 18 of P.L.1998, c.43 (C.26:2H-7d);
Transfer of ownership interest except in the case of an acute care hospital;
Change of site for approved certificate of need within the same county;
Additions to vehicles or hours of operation of a mobile intensive care unit;
Relocation or replacement of a health care facility within the same county, except for an acute care hospital;
Continuing care retirement communities authorized pursuant to P.L.1986, c.103 (C.52:27D-330 et seq.);
Magnetic resonance imaging;
Adult day health care facilities;
Pediatric day health care facilities;
Chronic or acute renal dialysis facilities; and
Transfer of ownership of a hospital to an authority in accordance with P.L.2006, c.46 (C.30:9-23.15 et al.).
(cf: P.L.2021, c.18, s.4)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.