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A 1143

Relates to establishing an electronic military ballot application and military ballot transmittal system

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Angelino and 22 co-sponsors

Annual cost-of-living adjustments must be included in DHS mental health, addiction services, and developmental disabilities contracts, based on the prior year CPI.

REFERRED TO ELECTION LAW
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Bill Summary · A 1143

Summary of New Jersey A 1143 (Introduced version)

Note: The bill’s title in the provided information references an “electronic military ballot application and military ballot transmittal system,” but the introduced text and statement of purpose describe a different policy focused on annual cost-of-living adjustments for certain Department of Human Services contracts. The summary below reflects the introduced version content.

Overview and Purpose

  • The bill requires that, for contracts between the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) divisions handling Mental Health and Addiction Services and Developmental Disabilities and programs that provide mental health services, substance use treatment services, or services to persons with developmental disabilities, there must be an annual increase tied to the cost of living.
  • The annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) would be calculated based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the previous 12-month period (October 1 through September 30) as published by the U.S. Department of Labor.
  • The DHS would announce the exact COLA rate on October 1 each year.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1a: All applicable contracts entered into on or after the bill’s effective date must include an annual COLA adjustment in the funding amount received by the program.
  • Section 1b: The department must publish the annual COLA rate on October 1 of each year.
  • Section 1c: The term “program” includes State programs partially funded or fully funded by Medicaid and that are licensed or approved by the DHS Commissioner or other appropriate state licensing entities.
  • Section 2: The Commissioner of Human Services would adopt rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act (P.L.1968, c.410) to implement the act.
  • Section 3: The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who Is Affected

  • State programs operated under DHS divisions for Mental Health and Addiction Services and Developmental Disabilities, including:
    • Programs providing mental health services
    • Substance use treatment services
    • Services to persons with developmental disabilities
  • Programs that are partially or fully funded by Medicaid and licensed or approved by DHS or other state licensing authorities.

Implementation and Timeline

  • Effective date: Immediate (upon enactment).
  • Annual cadence: On October 1 each year, DHS must announce the rate of the COLA increase for the upcoming contract period.
  • Regulatory action: DHS would use the Administrative Procedure Act process to adopt rules implementing the bill.

Legislative and Related Information

  • Status: Referred to Election Law (noting that the committee designation appears to differ from the introduced content’s subject matter).
  • Introduced: January 9, 2024.
  • Primary sponsor: Carrie Woerner (with multiple cosponsors listed).
  • Related/Companion Bills: S 1032 (companion); A 8780, A 1294, A 1555 (prior sessions).

If you’d like, I can reframe this summary to align with the bill’s stated title (electronic military ballot application) once the official text or purpose is clarified, or compare with the companion S 1032 for consistency.

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

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