Bill
S 4792
Provides $45M for opioid-related care at four named hospitals with quarterly reporting and potential Medicaid matching, effective immediately.
Status & Timeline
- Introduced: October 27, 2025 (Sen. Joseph F. Vitale, Sen. Troy Singleton; co-sponsors include Senators Diegnan, Turner, Singer, Julia Salazar, James Sanders Jr.)
- Reported out of Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee with amendments: November 13, 2025 (1st reprint)
- As reported, referred to further legislative consideration. (Bill header lists “REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION” in some records — this appears to be an administrative/clerical entry that does not match the committee activity on health/human services.)
Purpose
- Provides a $45.0 million supplemental appropriation for opioid-related care and treatment delivered at certain hospitals, and sets specific distribution, reporting, and funding-source rules.
Key Provisions
- Appropriation: Adds a $45,000,000 supplemental Grants‑in‑Aid appropriation in FY2026 to the Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, under Addiction Services.
- Designated Uses: Funds are to be used for “Opioid Hospital Initiatives” to provide necessary care and treatment for victims of opioid‑related health issues consistent with the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council’s most recent strategic plan.
- Specific hospital allocations (as amended):
- $15,000,000 to RWJ Barnabas
- $15,000,000 to Cooper
- $10,000,000 to Hackensack
- $5,000,000 to Atlantic Health
- Reporting requirements: Each recipient hospital must submit quarterly reports to the Commissioner of Human Services until funds are fully expended. Reports must describe how funds were used, the number of individuals served by each use, outcomes data, remaining balances, and any additional information the commissioner requires.
- Federal Medicaid maximization: Consistent with CMS guidance and subject to federal approval, DHS may route funds through the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services to maximize federal Medicaid matching funds.
- Repeal: Section 111 of P.L.2025, c.74 is repealed (the bill text effects the repeal; the bill takes effect immediately).
Changes from the Introduced Version
- Introduced version: $45M general appropriation to DHS to carry out the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council’s recommendations and strategic plan (no hospital-level earmarks).
- Reported (1R) version: Changes the appropriation language to specify distribution amounts to four named hospital systems, adds reporting requirements, adds Medicaid‑matching language, and repeals section 111 of P.L.2025, c.74.
Who is affected
- Direct recipients: Four hospital systems named above.
- State agencies: Department of Human Services (Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services) — responsible for distribution, reporting oversight, and pursuing federal matching.
- Indirectly affected: Patients receiving opioid-related care and treatment at these hospitals; stakeholders in opioid settlement funds and broader behavioral health providers (because this bill directs a $45M General Fund appropriation specifically to certain hospitals rather than to a broader allocation mechanism).
Potential impacts and considerations
- Concentrates $45M in state funds to four large hospital systems for opioid-related care, which may speed delivery of services at those centers but limits distribution to other providers or community programs.
- The Medicaid maximization clause could increase total federal/state resources if CMS approval is obtained.
- Repealing section 111 of P.L.2025, c.74 may alter prior statutory funding or allocation mechanics (the bill text effects the repeal but does not specify the broader statutory consequences within this bill text).
Related/Companion legislation
- Companion: A-6165, A-6240 (duplicate entry noted)
- Prior-session related: S-5518, S-2835, S-3581
Effective date
- Immediate upon enactment.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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