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S 4044

Establishes clean energy goals of reducing the annual total of vehicle miles traveled within the state by 20% by the year 2050

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare and 9 co-sponsors

Expands NJ FamilyCare to offer up to six months of rental assistance to homeless or at-risk beneficiaries with serious mental illness or SUD, via a CMS waiver amendment.

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
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Bill Summary · S 4044

Summary of Bill S 4044 (Introduced January 14, 2025)

Note on title vs. content: The bill’s listed title mentions clean energy vehicle-miles-traveled reductions, but the introduced text and provisions pertain to rental assistance under NJ FamilyCare. This summary focuses on the actual introduced content related to housing/rental assistance within NJ FamilyCare.

Overview

  • Bill Number: S 4044
  • Title (as listed): Establishes clean energy goals of reducing the annual total of vehicle miles traveled within the state by 20% by the year 2050
  • Introduced: January 14, 2025
  • Status: Referred to Environmental Conservation (with prior referral to Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens)
  • Primary sponsor: Andrew Gounardes (plus a broad slate of cosponsors)

Purpose and Intent

  • Expand the NJ FamilyCare 1115 Comprehensive Demonstration waiver to authorize rental assistance benefits for a targeted subgroup of beneficiaries.
  • Aims to provide up to six months of rental subsidies or vouchers to help eligible beneficiaries secure or maintain housing, thereby addressing homelessness and housing instability among vulnerable populations.

Key Provisions

1) Authority and Waiver Amendment
- Within six months after the bill’s effective date, the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (in the Department of Human Services) must apply to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to amend New Jersey’s 1115 waiver to include rental assistance benefits.
- The waiver in question is NJ FamilyCare 1115 Comprehensive Demonstration; with CMS approval, rental assistance would become an approved benefit under the state’s Medicaid/CHIP program.

2) Eligibility and Benefit Details
- Rental Assistance Benefits defined as vouchers, subsidies, or other financial assistance to housing providers that enable an eligible NJ FamilyCare beneficiary to secure or maintain housing for up to six months.
- Eligible NJ FamilyCare population for this benefit is limited to:
- Individuals who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or transitioning out of an emergency shelter (per federal definitions in 24 C.F.R. 91.5);
- And who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness or substance use disorder.
- Note: The bill distinguishes these benefits from existing housing-related services under the waiver by permitting direct rental subsidies, but limits eligibility to the specified high-need group.

3) Implementation and Rulemaking
- The Commissioner of Human Services shall adopt rules/regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the act.
- The act is to take effect immediately, with program implementation contingent on federal waiver approval.

Affected Parties

  • Beneficiaries: NJ FamilyCare enrollees who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or transitioning out of an emergency shelter, and who have a diagnosed serious mental illness or substance use disorder.
  • State agencies: Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services; Department of Human Services.
  • Housing providers: Entities that would issue or administer rental subsidies/vouchers.
  • Federal program: CMS approval is required to authorize the new waiver component.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Six-month deadline: Apply to CMS for waiver amendment no later than six months after the act’s effective date.
  • Conditional implementation: Activation of rental assistance depends on federal waiver approval.
  • Effective date: The act takes effect immediately, pending CMS approval and subsequent implementation.

Related Legislation

  • Related bills listed: S 1981 (prior-session), A 4230 (companion). The bill has multiple sponsors, including several cosponsors in addition to the primary.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the existing NJ FamilyCare 1115 waiver benefits or map the potential funding flow once federal approval is in place.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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