Bill Text: NJ A5298 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Amended


Bill Title: Authorizes certain health care and social service resources to be made available during Code Blue Alert.*

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-13 - Substituted by S3511 (1R) [A5298 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2018-A5298-Amended.html

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 5298

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MAY 13, 2019

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  RAJ MUKHERJI

District 33 (Hudson)

Assemblywoman  VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE

District 37 (Bergen)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblymen Milam, Land and Karabinchak

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Authorizes certain health care and social service resources to be made available during Code Blue alert.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Human Services Committee on December 9, 2019, with amendments.

  


An Act concerning Code Blue alerts and supplementing P.L.2017, c.68 and Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.

 

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

 

      1.   The 1[Commissioner] Department1 of 1[Health] Human Services1 shall establish guidelines for health care and social 1[services to] service resources that may1 be offered 1[to at-risk individuals]1 at emergency warming centers during a Code Blue alert declared pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2017, c.68 (App.A:9-43.20). 

      a.    1[Services] Health care resources1 offered 1pursuant to this section1 may include, but shall not be limited to:

     (1)   1[the provision of health care services deemed appropriate by the commissioner;

     (2)   the administration of vaccines deemed appropriate by the commissioner;

     (3)   substance abuse intervention and treatment referral services; 

     (4)   mental health assessment and treatment referral services; and

     (5)   the provision of social services deemed appropriate by the commissioner] information regarding health care coverage and enrollment options, including, but not limited to, information related to coverage provided through NJ FamilyCare and the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," Pub.L.111-148, as amended by the federal "Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010," Pub.L.111-152;

     (2)   information regarding Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), including the locations and hours of operation of any FQHC that is located in the same county as, or in a neighboring county of, the warming center;

     (3)   information regarding health care services available for veterans;

     (4)   information regarding the REACHNJ hotline, which can be used to connect individuals to assessment and treatment referral services for substance use disorders; and

     (5)   information regarding available mental health care services1.

      b.   1[The commissioner may require training related to the provision of services during a Code Blue alert as a condition of registration in the Code Blue Alert Services Registry established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.    , c.    (C.            ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)]  Social service resources offered pursuant to this section may include, but shall not be limited to:

     (1)   information regarding municipal and county social service agencies for the municipality and county in which the warming center is located; and

     (2)   information regarding community-based assistance organizations in the municipality, county, or region of the State in which the warming center is located1.

     c.     The 1[commissioner shall establish a form for identification cards issued pursuant to subsection b. of section 2 of P.L.    , c.    (C.            ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)] Department of Human Services shall compile and make available on its Internet website health and social service resource materials corresponding to the guidelines established pursuant to subsection a. of this section1.

 

     1[2.    A coordinator may establish a registry of healthcare workers, social services providers, and support services personnel who voluntarily consent to provide health care, social services, and support services to at-risk individuals during a Code Blue alert in accordance with guidelines established by the Commissioner of Health pursuant to section 1 of P.L.    , c.    (C.            ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).  This registry shall be known as the Code Blue Alert Services Registry.

      a.    The coordinator may identify an area of an emergency warming center as a location to provide services authorized by the commissioner pursuant to section 1 of P.L.    , c.    (C.            ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

      b.   The coordinator may issue identification cards to personnel included in the registry established under this section that:

     (1)   identify the health care, social services, or support services personnel;

     (2)   identify any professional license or certification held by the individual; and

     (3)   indicate, if required under current law, that the individual is registered as a New Jersey health care worker, social services provider, or support services personnel.

      c.    Upon the declaration of a Code Blue alert, the coordinator may direct that an emergency warming center may provide services in accordance with section 1 of P.L.    , c.    (C.            ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

      d.   In the event a coordinator declares a Code Blue alert, the coordinator may direct health care workers, social services providers, and support services personnel registered under this section who are willing to provide services on a voluntary basis to proceed to a warming shelter to provide services in accordance with section 1 of P.L.    , c.    (C.            ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

     e.     Health care workers, social services providers, and support services personnel registered under this section may volunteer to provide services at an emergency warming center during a Code Blue alert in accordance with section 1 of P.L.    , c.    (C.            ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

     f.     Health care workers and support services personnel registered under this section who provide health care services on a voluntary basis shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of the person's acts or omissions in providing medical care or treatment during a Code Blue alert in good faith and in accordance with the provisions of this act.]1

 

     1[3.] 2.1     This act shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following the date of enactment.

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