ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 945

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 16, 1996

      The Assembly Health Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 945.

      As amended by the committee, this bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to annually increase the amount of State supplementary payments to individuals residing in residential health care facilities (RHCFs) and rooming or boarding houses operating under a Class C license by the same percentage as any increase in the federal government's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments to those individuals.

      The committee amendments:

      -- expand the provisions of the bill to apply to residents of Class C boarding homes, as well as RHCFs; and

      -- change the effective date of the bill from immediately to July 1st next following the date of enactment.

      The amendments are intended to provide equitable treatment for Class C boarding home residents who are similar to RHCF residents, and to enhance the ability of the Department of Human Services to accommodate the increase in State supplementary payments within its budget.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 1996-97 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review which has been performed.