Bill
S 3939
Establishes a Nursing Scribe Program in NJ, enabling nursing students to earn credit for scribe training that supports licensed nurses with documentation within licensure rules.
Overview
- Purpose: Requires the New Jersey Board of Nursing to establish a Nursing Scribe Program in collaboration with approved nursing schools, enabling nursing students to earn academic credit for completing a nurse scribe course and providing a structured pathway to train nurse scribes who assist licensed nurses with documentation and related tasks.
- Status and history: Introduced December 9, 2024; referred to Health. As of June 9, 2025, the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reported favorably and then referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. Principal sponsor: Brad Hoylman-Sigal; cosponsors include Luis R. Sepúlveda and James Skoufis. Companion/related bills exist (e.g., A5070).
Key Provisions
- Establishment of program
- The New Jersey Board of Nursing, in conjunction with approved nursing schools, shall establish the Nursing Scribe Program.
- The Board shall authorize approved nursing schools to grant academic credit to nursing students who successfully complete a nurse scribe course.
- Curriculum and training requirements
- The Board must promulgate regulations with minimum curriculum guidelines for the nurse scribe course, including:
1) Training in electronic medical records documentation and unit workflows; medical terminology; applicable HIPAA provisions (HIPAA 1996, Pub.L. 104-191); and the principles of medical billing, coding, and reimbursement.
2) A practicum component requiring hours determined appropriate by the Board, during which the student provides nurse scribe services.
- Definitions
- “Nurse scribe services” means documentation assistance provided by a nursing student to a nurse licensed by the Board, related to a patient encounter and within the nurse’s licensure scope.
- Regulatory framework
- The Board shall adopt rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the act.
- Effective date
- The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Fiscal and Administrative Details
- Fiscal impact (one-time): The bill would incur a one-time State expenditure increase of up to $75,000 for the Board of Nursing to develop the curriculum guidelines for the Nurse Scribe Program.
- Allocation and staffing: The Office of Legislative Services estimates that a single full-time equivalent staff member (up to $90,000) could complete this task in six months or less. The analysis does not anticipate additional ongoing costs for Board approval of schools’ Nurse Scribe Programs beyond the initial curriculum development.
- Agencies affected: Department of Law and Public Safety (Board of Nursing).
Who is Affected
- Primary: New Jersey Board of Nursing and approved nursing schools.
- Beneficiaries: Nursing students who participate in the Nurse Scribe course and earn academic credit; licensed nurses who may receive clerical/documentation support through nurse scribe services; patients who may benefit from improved workflow and documentation efficiency.
Procedural and Timeline Notes
- Introduced in 2024; committee actions include referral to Health, then budget/appropriations consideration in 2025.
- The bill aligns with workforce development goals by integrating clinical support roles (nurse scribes) into nursing education and licensure regulation.
Related Context
- Companion and related bills exist (e.g., A5070) and other S-series bills from prior sessions.
- The measure emphasizes collaboration between the Board of Nursing and nursing schools to credential and regulate nurse scribe activities, with emphasis on HIPAA compliance and proper documentation practices.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
