CHAPTER 463

 

An Act concerning services and resources for veterans and the homeless and supplementing Title 26 and Title 55 of the Revised Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

C.26:2H-5.35  Determination by general acute care hospital if patient is homeless or a military veteran.

     1.    A general acute care hospital licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) shall, as part of the patient intake process, inquire as to whether the individual who is to receive services from the hospital is homeless or is a military veteran.  In the event that the individual responds in the affirmative, the hospital shall provide the individual with information concerning special services and resources that are available to the individual based on the individual’s status as homeless or as a military veteran.  Each general acute care hospital licensed in this State shall establish standard protocols and procedures for making inquiries and providing information as required by this section.

 

C.55:13C-2.4  Determination by emergency shelter for the homeless if client is a veteran.

     2.    An emergency shelter for the homeless established pursuant to P.L.1985, c.48 (C.55:13C-1 et seq.) shall, as part of the client intake process, inquire as to whether the individual who is to receive services is a military veteran.  In the event that the individual responds in the affirmative, the shelter shall provide the individual with information concerning special services and resources that are available to the individual based on the individual’s status as a military veteran.  Each emergency shelter for the homeless established in this State shall establish standard protocols and procedures for making inquiries and providing information as required by this section.

 

     3.    The Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of Community Affairs shall, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt any rules and regulations as each commissioner deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.

 

     4.    This act shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment, except that the Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of Community Affairs may take any anticipatory administrative action in advance as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.

 

     Approved January 21, 2020.