The proposed bill, known as the Employer Responsibility for Essential Supplies Act, mandates that long-term care facilities in New Jersey provide their employees with all necessary equipment and supplies at no cost. This includes essential items such as face masks, gloves, personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, linens, and resident hygiene products. The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sufficient quantity and quality of these supplies to ensure sanitary conditions, effective infection prevention, and safe working environments. Additionally, if a facility requires specific types of scrubs, it must provide at least two sets to employees at no cost.

To ensure compliance, the Department of Health will establish a review process and conduct monthly checks. Facilities that fail to comply will face fines of $3,000 per day and may be subject to adverse licensure actions by the Commissioner of Health. The bill also outlines the definitions of long-term care facilities and the types of equipment and supplies covered under this legislation. It is set to take effect 30 days after enactment, with provisions for the Commissioner of Health to take anticipatory actions for implementation.