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Bill

S 2815

Requires Medicaid coverage of social day care services for senior citizens.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Angela McKnight and 2 co-sponsors

Expands New Jersey Medicaid to cover social adult day care for seniors 60+, even if not enrolled in MLTSS, with eligibility still tied to MLTSS-like income and asset criteria.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
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Bill Summary · S 2815

Summary of Bill S 2815 (Session 222) — New Jersey

Title: Requires Medicaid coverage of social day care services for senior citizens

Jurisdiction: New Jersey

Status: Introduced in the Senate (January 13, 2026); referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee

Co-sponsors: Holly Schepisi, Angela McKnight, Raj Mukherji

Purpose and intent

  • To expand Medicaid coverage in New Jersey to include social adult day care services for certain senior citizens.
  • Specifically, the bill requires the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (in the Department of Human Services) to provide coverage for social adult day care services for Medicaid beneficiaries regardless of whether they are enrolled in the Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program.
  • The overall aim is to support non-medical needs of seniors with functional impairments and to assist caregivers by offering daytime services in a protective, community-based setting.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definition of terms:

    • “Managed Long Term Services and Supports program” (MLTSS): Medicaid program delivering coordinated long-term services and supports to beneficiaries in the community who require a nursing home level of care.
    • “Social adult day care services”: A community-based group program addressing non-medical needs of seniors with functional impairments through an individualized plan of care; provided during the day when caregivers are unavailable.

  • Coverage expansion:

    • The Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services must cover social adult day care services for Medicaid beneficiaries, even if they are not enrolled in MLTSS.
    • Eligibility for this coverage is limited to beneficiaries aged 60 and older who also meet the clinical, income, and asset requirements established for the MLTSS program by the Commissioner of Human Services.

  • Administration and funding:

    • The Commissioner of Human Services must seek federal waivers or amendments to the State Medicaid plan as needed to obtain federal financial participation for these expenditures.
    • The bill directs implementing rules and regulations to be adopted under the Administrative Procedure Act.

  • Effective date and operability:

    • The act takes effect immediately but remains inoperable until federal approval of the necessary waivers/amendments is obtained.

Who would be affected

  • Medicaid beneficiaries in New Jersey who are:
    • Aged 60 or older
    • Clinically eligible for ongoing supports that align with MLTSS criteria (as determined by the Commissioner of Human Services)
  • The Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services would administer coverage for social adult day care services for these beneficiaries, regardless of MLTSS enrollment.
  • Caregivers and family members who rely on daytime senior support may experience increased access to respite and non-medical care services.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Professor/Agency action:
    • The Commissioner of Human Services must apply for any necessary federal Medicaid waivers or State plan amendments to enable funding and coverage.
    • Regulatory amendments and implementing rules must be adopted following the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • Operational timeline:
    • The bill is effective immediately but remains inoperable until federal approvals are secured. This means no coverage would begin until waivers/amendments are approved by federal authorities.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Expands access to non-medical day-time supports for seniors, potentially alleviating caregiver burden and enabling community living.
  • Introduces a broader eligibility base (by removing the enrollment restriction to MLTSS) but keeps a 60+ age and MLTSS-aligned income/asset screen.
  • Requires coordination with federal Medicaid requirements and potential state budget implications once waivers are approved.
  • The bill does not define specific benefit caps, service hours, or reimbursement rates; these details would likely be addressed in the waivers, amendments, and subsequent regulations.

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

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