This bill mandates that every nursing home in New Jersey must employ a patient advocate, who can be either a health care professional or a social worker with prior experience in a nursing home setting. The patient advocate is required to work on a full-time or part-time basis and is responsible for representing the interests of nursing home residents. Upon request from a resident or their family member, the advocate will negotiate with the nursing home on behalf of the residents.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that if a nursing home violates the rights of a resident, the patient advocate must inform the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The bill also empowers the Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of Human Services to establish necessary rules and regulations to implement its provisions, and it is set to take effect immediately upon passage.