ASSEMBLY HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1160

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 14, 2026

      The Assembly Health Infrastructure Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1160.

      This bill implements a variety of provisions regarding technology in long-term care settings.  As used in the bill, long-term care settings include home-based care, community-based care, and residential-based care.

      First, the bill requires the Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with the applicable State entities and provider stakeholders, to evaluate, review, and provide recommendations for the use of technology in long-term care settings within the State, and to report the findings of the review, and subsequent department actions, to the Legislature within 18 months after the effective date of the bill.  The goal of this review is to identify existing uses, and potential new and expanded uses, of technology within long-term care settings. 

      Following the review, the department will encourage and support providers in implementing the department’s recommendations regarding the uses of technology via the distribution of available federal and State funds, the establishment of grant or low interest loan programs, the implementation of performance incentives, or the provision of other aid deemed appropriate and necessary by the Commissioner of Health.

      Second, the bill expands an existing law requiring long-term care facilities to implement an electronic medical records requirement, and that provides need-based grants via the DOH to implement this requirement, to also include home and community-based service providers.  The bill also requires the DOH to provide grants to long-term care providers to support the exchange of user-friendly clinical information via an electronic health record system with State hospitals. 

      Third, commencing six months following the effective date of the bill, the DOH is to require each long-term care facility in the State, as a condition of licensure, to provide internet, television, and telephone services within each residential room.  To the extent possible, the long-term care facility will also provide residents with the necessary equipment to utilize these services.  The department will distribute federal and State funds to facilities in compliance with this provision, and to determine compliance with the provision during facility inspections.  In addition to any other applicable penalties provided by law, a long-term care facility that fails to comply with these provisions is liable to pay an administrative penalty and may be subject to adverse licensure action.

      Finally, this bill amends section 11 of P.L.2021, c.310 to clarify that the provisions of that law requiring a health benefits plan to provide coverage and payment parity for health care services delivered to a covered person through telemedicine or telehealth at a provider reimbursement rate that equals the in-person provider reimbursement rate, includes those health care services provided in a long-term care setting.   

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.