Creates "New Jersey Dialysis Patient Support Person Accommodation Act."

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Melinda Kane and 2 co-sponsors

Dialysis centers must allow a designated support person to accompany patients during treatment, with published policies, staff training, and DOH oversight for compliance.

Passed by the Assembly (79-0-0)

Summary: New Jersey Dialysis Patient Support Person Accommodation Act (A-3434)

Purpose and intent

Establishes a state framework requiring dialysis centers to reasonably accommodate a designated support person for patients undergoing dialysis treatment.

Aims to enhance patient communication, mobility, and decision-making support during treatment.

Key provisions and changes

Right to accompaniment: Dialysis centers licensed under New Jersey law must permit a patient to be accompanied by a designated support person during dialysis.

The support person may assist with communication, mobility, and decision-making as needed for care and treatment.

Center policies and controls:

Dialysis centers may implement reasonable health, safety, and infection-control measures governing the presence of support persons, so long as these measures do not unnecessarily restrict access.
Each center must create, maintain, and publish written policies on support person access.
Policies must be posted in a visible location within the facility.
Policies must be available to patients, families, and the public upon request.
Center staff must receive training on the act’s requirements and the facility’s policies regarding support person access.

Enforcement and oversight:

The Department of Health (DOH) will oversee compliance and investigate complaints alleging violations.
Patients denied access to a designated support person may file a complaint with the DOH.
Centers found noncompliant may face penalties, fines, or corrective action orders as determined by the DOH.

Effective date: The act would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Who/what is affected

Affected entities: Dialysis centers licensed under P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.).

Affected individuals: Patients receiving dialysis treatment and their designated support persons (family members, friends, or others chosen by the patient).

Impact on staff: Facility staff must be trained on the act’s requirements and the center’s access policies.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced and pre-filed for the 2026 session; subsequent action in 2026 includes Assembly floor amendment and committee progress.

Action history indicates amendments and advancement through Assembly stages in 2026.

Implementation: Immediate effectiveness upon enactment; ongoing DOH enforcement and policy oversight.

Potential implications

Patient experience: Likely improvement in patient comfort, communication with care teams, and support during treatment.

Facility operations: Centers can implement reasonable restrictions for safety and infection control but must avoid unnecessary denial of access; requires formal policy development and staff training.

Compliance burden: DOH enforcement may introduce new compliance monitoring and potential penalties for violations.

If you’d like, I can provide a quick comparison with existing NJ health care access laws or a brief FAQ-style explainer for patients and facility administrators.