The bill revises the regulatory framework for health care facilities in New Jersey, with a particular emphasis on penalties for operating without the necessary approvals. It amends Section 8 of P.L.1970, c.334 to increase fines for operating a narcotic and substance use disorder treatment center without a certificate of approval to $12,500 for the first offense and $25,000 for subsequent offenses. The bill also introduces a graduated penalty system based on the facility's licensed-bed capacity and allows for annual adjustments to these penalties in accordance with the Consumer Price Index. Additionally, it grants the Commissioner of Health the authority to summarily suspend a facility's license if a violation poses an imminent threat to public health or safety.

Further provisions include the ability for the Commissioner to debar facilities with substantial violations from obtaining a certificate of need, with a process for appealing such debarments. The bill specifies that health care facilities leasing from health care real estate investment trusts will not be eligible for new certificates of need unless they were already leasing as of the bill's effective date. It also mandates that associated facilities within the same health system will have their licenses made provisional if a facility is debarred, pending a financial audit and comprehensive improvement plan. Overall, the bill aims to enhance oversight, accountability, and the quality of care within New Jersey's health care system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26:2G-28, 26:2H-5, 26:2H-8, 26:2H-12.12, 26:2H-13.1, 26:2H-14, 26:2H-15, 26:2H-18.59, 26:2H-18.64, 26:2H-31