This bill mandates the establishment of a program by the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) within the Department of Human Services (DHS) to certify family members or approved third-party individuals as certified homemaker-home health aides (CHHAs). This program is aimed at enrollees aged 65 and older who qualify for CHHA services under Medicare, Medicaid, or NJ FamilyCare. The certified individuals will provide services under the supervision of a registered professional nurse through a home care services agency, which will be reimbursed at a minimum rate of $30 per hour. The DMAHS is also tasked with developing an assessment tool to identify eligible enrollees.

To become certified, family members or approved third-party individuals must complete all necessary training and testing as required by state and federal law. The home care services agency is responsible for covering the costs associated with certification, and individuals will not be required to reimburse the agency for these expenses. The bill also stipulates that the tasks assigned to certified individuals must align with the New Jersey Board of Nursing's regulations for CHHAs. The DMAHS is required to implement this program within six months of the bill's effective date, and the DHS must seek any necessary state plan amendments or waivers to ensure federal financial participation in Medicaid expenditures.