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Bill

A 5214

Requires long-term care facilities to provide its employees with necessary supplies and equipment at no cost.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Danielsen and 1 co-sponsor

Requires long-term care facilities to provide all necessary equipment and supplies for employees at no cost, with strict compliance and penalties.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 5214

Bill summary: A-5214 (New Jersey, 222nd Legislature)

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes the Employer Responsibility for Essential Supplies Act.
  • Requires long-term care facilities to provide all equipment and supplies necessary for employees to perform their essential functions at no cost to employees.
  • Aims to ensure sanitary conditions, infection prevention, resident dignity, proper nutrition, and safe working conditions.

Key provisions

  • Who is covered

    • Applies to “long-term care facilities” including:
    • Nursing homes
    • Assisted living residences
    • Comprehensive personal care homes
    • Residential health care facilities
    • Dementia care homes
    • Facilities must be licensed under New Jersey law (P.L.1971, c.136; C.26:2H-1 et seq.).

  • What must be provided at no cost

    • All equipment and supplies necessary for employees to perform essential functions, with face masks and gloves explicitly identified as necessary.
    • Affected items include, but are not limited to:
    • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
    • Cleaning and disinfecting supplies
    • Linens, towels, bedsheets, blankets
    • Laundry supplies
    • Resident hygiene products (toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap, incontinence products, feminine hygiene products)
    • Food, grocery, and dietary supplies necessary for meal preparation and nutritional services
    • The bill clarifies that closed-toe shoes or scrubs are not automatically considered “equipment and supplies” unless the facility requires a specific type, color, or brand of shoe or scrub. If such a specific requirement exists, the facility must provide at least two sets of scrubs at no cost.

  • Quality and availability standards

    • Facilities must maintain a sufficient quantity and quality to ensure sanitary conditions, effective infection prevention and control, resident dignity, adequate nutrition, and safe working conditions.
    • All provided equipment and supplies must be usable, sanitary, functional, and not expired, diluted, defective, or otherwise inadequate.

  • Compliance and enforcement

    • The New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) must establish a process to confirm compliance, with at least monthly reviews.
    • Penalties for non-compliance: a daily fine of $3,000 for each violation.
    • The DOH Commissioner may impose adverse licensure actions as deemed appropriate.
    • Penalties are to be collected via a summary proceeding in a court under the Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999.

  • Regulatory framework

    • The Commissioner of Health is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement and enforce the act, including provisions related to equipment and supplies.

  • Effective date and implementation

    • The act takes effect 30 days after enactment.
    • The Commissioner may take anticipatory action in advance as necessary for implementation.

Administrative and fiscal notes

  • Administration
    • DOH is responsible for developing compliance review processes and enforcement mechanisms.
  • Penalties and enforcement
    • Significant daily monetary penalties ($3,000 per violation) underscore strong enforcement potential.
  • Timeline
    • Effective 30 days after enactment, with regressive steps to be established by DOH before full enforcement.

Potential impact

  • Facilities
    • Increased operating costs due to providing free equipment and supplies to employees.
    • Administrative burden to track, stock, and maintain compliance and supply inventories.
  • ** Employees**
    • Direct benefit from receiving essential equipment and supplies at no personal cost, potentially improving safety and working conditions.
  • ** Residents and care quality**
    • Improved infection control, sanitation, and dignity through reliable access to necessary items.
  • ** Oversight**
    • Heightened regulatory oversight by DOH with monthly compliance checks and substantial penalties for non-compliance.

Sponsor and action history

  • Introduced: June 4, 2026
  • Referred to: Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee
  • Co-sponsor: Joe Danielsen

This summary captures the bill’s main purpose, the scope of required supplies, enforcement mechanisms, and the anticipated effects on facilities, employees, and residents.

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

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