Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Senator ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits conditioning certain heating and cooling assistance on medical note.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning certain heating and cooling assistance eligibility and supplementing and supplementing chapter 2 of Title 48 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section:
“Heating or cooling assistance” means assistance provided through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, established pursuant to 42 U.S.C. s.8621 et seq., or the “Universal Service Fund,” established pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-60).
b. Notwithstanding any provision of State law or regulation to the contrary, and to the extent permitted by federal law, the Department of Community Affairs, in its administration of heating or cooling assistance, shall not require an applicant to provide an order, note, or other information from a physician or other licensed medical professional as a condition of receiving heating or cooling assistance.
2. The Department of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities, shall, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), update rules and regulations as may be necessary to ensure consistency with P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits the Department of Community Affairs, in its administration of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Universal Service Fund, from requiring an applicant to submit an order, note, or other information from a physician or other licensed medical professional as a condition of receiving assistance through these programs