This bill aims to enhance protections for residents of long-term care facilities and long-term acute care hospitals in New Jersey. It prohibits owners, administrators, directors, officers, or employees of these facilities, as well as any affiliated individuals or entities, from acting as an attorney-in-fact for residents, defined as principals. Any power of attorney executed by a principal naming such individuals is deemed invalid. The bill also stipulates that the appointment of a guardian for a principal must be determined by the Superior Court in consultation with the Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults. Additionally, it allows principals who suffer injury due to violations of these provisions to pursue legal action for damages.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the Department of Health to create a standard resident admission agreement form for long-term care facilities, which must be used for new admissions starting six months after the bill's enactment. Facilities are required to provide residents and their representatives with notices regarding their rights to seek legal assistance for Medicaid applications and to inform them of federal regulations prohibiting mandatory arbitration agreements as a condition of admission. The Commissioner of Human Services is tasked with establishing uniform standards for non-attorney Medicaid application assistance, ensuring that individuals providing such services are properly trained and regulated.