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A 4338

Requires distribution of family leave informational materials to certain patients.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Reginald Atkins and 3 co-sponsors

Requires DOH, with Labor Dept, to provide Family Leave Act information to maternity patients and caregivers at discharge, plus enhanced discharge planning.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4338

Summary of Assembly Bill A 4338 (New Jersey)

Overview

A 4338, introduced February 4, 2025, would require the Department of Health (DOH), in consultation with the Department of Labor, to develop and disseminate informational materials about programs under the Family Leave Act. The bill mandates distribution of these materials by health care professionals and licensed health care facilities, with a particular emphasis on maternity care settings. It also updates discharge planning to ensure patients’ designated caregivers receive information about family leave and related resources.

Key Provisions

  • New DOH pamphlet and materials (Section 1):

    • DOH, in consultation with the Department of Labor, must create a pamphlet and other informational materials about the Family Leave Act programs.
    • Materials must be: available to all health care professionals and licensed facilities; posted on DOH’s website; distributed to facilities and professionals that provide maternity care services; and made available in patient waiting areas.
    • The pamphlet and materials must be provided to maternity care patients upon discharge.

  • Discharge planning enhancements (Section 2, amending P.L.2014, c.68):

    • Hospitals must consult with a patient’s designated caregiver before discharge and issue a discharge plan detailing after-care needs.
    • If the designated caregiver cannot be contacted, care and discharge are not delayed, with documentation of attempts.
    • Discharge plan must include:
      1) caregiver’s name and contact information;
      2) description of after-care tasks needed to maintain home residence;
      3) contact information for health care, community resources, long-term supports, and a hospital employee to address questions about the plan;
      4) a copy of the pamphlet/informational materials on Family Leave Act programs.
    • Caregiver training: hospitals must provide instructions for after-care tasks in non-technical language, with live/recorded demonstrations, opportunity for questions, and culturally competent/language-accessible responses.
    • Training must be documented in the patient’s medical record (date/time/content).

  • Regulatory authority (Section 3):
    DOH must adopt rules to implement the act, including requiring maternity care providers to furnish the pamphlet to maternity patients at discharge.

  • Effective date (Section 4):
    The act would take effect 180 days after enactment.

Affected Parties

  • Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Labor (as implementing partners)
  • Licensed health care facilities and health care professionals, especially those providing maternity care services
  • Hospitals and discharge-planning personnel
  • Maternity patients and their designated caregivers

Legislative Status and Sponsors

  • Status: Introduced in the Assembly;REFERRED to Assembly Health (two references); introduced February 4, 2025.
  • Primary sponsor: Deborah Glick
  • Related: companion bills exist (including S 2692 and others)

Potential Impact

  • Increases awareness of Family Leave Act programs among patients and caregivers.
  • Standardizes the provision of information at discharge, particularly for maternity patients.
  • Adds caregiver-focused training and culture/language-access considerations.
  • Creates administrative responsibilities for hospitals and facilities, with regulatory rules to be adopted by DOH.
  • Availability of materials via DOH website could facilitate broader access and consistency across health care settings.

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

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