A3326

An Act concerning hospitals, amending P.L.1992, c.160, and supplementing P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.).

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;

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;

Inpatient special psychiatric beds used solely for services for patients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders;

Housing and wrap-around services for the homeless provided pursuant to section 2 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill);

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.2017, c.94, s.1)

2. (New section) a. A general acute care hospital licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) may adopt as part of its mission the goal of addressing issues related to homelessness. A hospital that chooses to address issues related to homelessness as part of its mission pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be authorized to construct housing and provide wrap-around services for homeless persons who are treated at the hospital, which wrap-around services may include:

(1) referrals to outpatient primary care and behavioral health care services;

(2) appropriate follow-up care and treatment management assistance;

(3) assistance identifying and procuring sources of health benefits coverage, including, but not limited to, coverage under the State Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs pursuant to P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.) and P.L.2005, c.156 (C.30:4J-1 et al.); and

(4) assistance in identifying and accessing appropriate social services, including, but not limited to, food, transportation, housing, employment, and child care assistance.

b. Housing for the homeless constructed by a hospital pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be deemed a permitted use in all residential and nonresidential districts of a municipality and shall be exempt from local zoning restrictions.

c. Commencing one year after the date a hospital first constructs housing and begins providing wrap-around services for the homeless pursuant to subsection a. of this section, and annually thereafter, the hospital shall report to the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), concerning any reductions in the number of charity care admissions at the hospital over the previous year.

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill authorizes general acute care hospitals to adopt, as part of their missions, the goal of addressing issues related to homelessness. A hospital that chooses to address issues related to homelessness will be authorized to construct housing and provide wrap-around services for homeless persons who are treated at the hospital, which wrap-around services may include:

(1) referrals to outpatient primary care and behavioral health care services;

(2) appropriate follow-up care and treatment management assistance;

(3) assistance identifying and procuring sources of health benefits coverage, including, but not limited to, coverage under the State Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs; and

(4) assistance in identifying and accessing appropriate social services, including, but not limited to, food, transportation, housing, employment, and child care assistance.

The provision of housing and wrap-around services for the homeless will be exempt from certificate of need requirements, and housing for the homeless constructed by a hospital will be deemed a permitted use in all residential and nonresidential districts of a municipality and will be exempt from local zoning restrictions.

A hospital that constructs housing and provides wrap-around services for the homeless will be required to submit annual reports to the Legislature concerning any reductions in the number of charity care admissions at the hospital over the previous year.