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S 4819

Relates to a privately owned vacant property temporary public benefit use exemption

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Simcha Felder

Expands duties for dialysis center staff by allowing trained LPNs to perform pre/post-dialysis assessments and PCTs to administer saline and heparin under RN supervision.

RECOMMIT, ENACTING CLAUSE STRICKEN
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Bill Summary · S 4819

S 4819 Summary – Relates to expanding scope of practice for dialysis center staff

Note: The bill is currently listed as RECOMMIT with ENACTING CLAUSE STRICKEN, indicating it has been sent back for additional consideration and its enacted provisions are not yet in force. Introduced November 6, 2025. Primary sponsors: Joseph F. Vitale and Simcha Felder.

Overview

S 4819 would expand the scope of practice for certain healthcare staff at dialysis centers in New Jersey. The core intent is to permit trained personnel to perform additional tasks related to dialysis patient care, with oversight and regulatory adjustments to ensure patient safety.

Key Provisions

  • Expanded duties for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)

    • An LPN at a dialysis facility may perform pre- and post-dialysis focal assessments that are within the LPN’s existing scope of practice.
    • These assessments must not require judgement, intervention, modification of care, or referral by aRegistered Professional Nurse (RN).
    • If an abnormality is identified, it must be immediately reported to an RN.

  • Expanded duties for Patient Care Technicians (PCTs)

    • A PCT may administer saline and heparin to dialysis patients.
    • A PCT is defined as a staff member who has national certification as a PCT and has been specifically trained and demonstrated competency to provide direct patient care under the direct supervision of an RN.
    • This represents a relaxation of current restrictions that prohibit PCTs from administering medications (under existing NJ regulations).

  • Regulatory framework

    • The Commissioner of Health would be directed to adopt rules and regulations to implement these changes, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

  • Effective date

    • The act, if enacted, would take effect 180 days after its effective date.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Dialysis facilities and their staff in New Jersey
  • Licensed Practical Nurses working in dialysis settings
  • Patient Care Technicians who are nationally certified and meet the training/competency criteria
  • Registered Professional Nurses who supervise and oversee the expanded tasks
  • The New Jersey Department of Health (DOH), which would implement related regulations

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: November 6, 2025
  • Recent legislative actions:
    • Recommitted with enacting clause stricken noted in the record
    • Earlier actions show referrals and recommits on dates including February 13, 2025, and May 27, 2025 (with some duplication in the record)
  • Status: RECOMMIT, ENACTING CLAUSE STRIKEN (indicating the bill is under reconsideration and has not yet become law)
  • Sponsors: Senator Joseph F. Vitale and Senator Simcha Felder

Related Legislation

  • Related prior-session bills include S 4490, S 5810, S 2916, S 4829, S 3693, and S 2116.

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Could improve workflow and efficiency in dialysis centers by allowing trained LPNs and PCTs to take on additional responsibilities, under appropriate supervision.
  • May necessitate enhanced training and certification requirements for PCTs, and formalized protocols for when RN oversight is required.
  • Regulatory adoption by the DOH would be essential to standardize practice and ensure patient safety.
  • As currently listed, the bill’s enactment depends on future committee action and potential changes, given its recommitment status.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to the related bills (S 4490, S 5810, S 2916, etc.) to highlight how similar provisions were handled in prior sessions.

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

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