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A 1820

Requires the modification of restrictive covenants prior to the sale of real property

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sarah Clark and 5 co-sponsors

NJ hospitals and labs must collect standardized race/ethnicity and SOGI data, train staff, and enforce these fields in EMRs/LIMS, with penalties for vendors failing to comply.

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Bill Summary · A 1820

Summary — A1820 (introduced Jan 9, 2024)*

*Note: the bill number and metadata provided include an unrelated title (modification of restrictive covenants). This summary describes the introduced A1820 text made available — an act concerning clinical laboratories, certain hospitals, and electronic medical records (EMRs).

Overview

A1820 requires hospitals and clinical laboratories in New Jersey to collect standardized race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity (SOGI) information; to train staff who collect that data in cultural competency; and to ensure EMR and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) sold or used in the State enforce capture of these demographic fields. The Department of Health (DOH) is directed to identify evidence‑based training tools and may modify data categories by regulation.

Key provisions

  • Hospital training

    • Every general acute care hospital that collects race/ethnicity or SOGI data must implement an evidence‑based cultural competency training program for personnel who directly collect these data.
    • DOH will identify an approved training tool; hospitals may use or supplement it.
    • Required training topics include: terminology for race/ethnicity and SOGI; link between these data and health outcomes; how data will be used; navigating patient/staff discomfort; and creating inclusive environments.
    • Staff must complete training as required by the hospital and a refresher at least biennially if the hospital deems it necessary.

  • Clinical laboratory requirements

    • Labs must electronically record race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity for patients who present with non‑electronic test orders at patient service centers. Labs processing specimens without patient presence are exempt from that responsibility.
    • Prescribed selectable categories for race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity are listed in the bill (with DOH authority to modify).
    • Any statutorily required lab reporting to local/state entities must include corresponding SOGI and race/ethnicity data and be incorporated into disease surveillance systems.
    • Non‑electronic requisition forms must include manual entry sections for these demographics.
    • Data must use formats compatible with State disease surveillance systems and HL7 or equivalent standards.

  • EMR/LIMS vendor obligations and penalties

    • EMRs and LIMS used or sold in the State on/after the act’s effective date must prevent saving patient demographic records unless SOGI and race/ethnicity fields are completed.
    • Vendors failing to comply are subject to civil penalties up to $1,000 per day, enforceable by DOH under the Penalty Enforcement Law.

  • Other

    • Patients are not compelled to disclose their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Who is affected

  • General acute care hospitals and clinical laboratories in New Jersey
  • EMR and LIMS vendors selling or configuring systems in the State
  • Hospital and lab staff who collect patient demographic information
  • State and local public health surveillance systems
  • Patients (data collection is voluntary)

Legislative status / timeline

  • Introduced in Assembly: 2024-01-09 (referred to Assembly Health)
  • Passed Assembly: 2025-04-02
  • Delivered to Senate and later reported/substituted for S3178A
  • Passed Senate: 2025-06-11
  • Returned to Assembly: 2025-06-11
  • Companion bill: S3178

Potential impacts to consider

  • Improved completeness/standardization of SOGI and race/ethnicity data for public‑health surveillance and equity monitoring.
  • Costs and implementation burden for vendors, hospitals, and labs to update systems, forms, and training.
  • Possible privacy and patient‑trust considerations despite voluntary disclosure language.
  • Enhanced cultural competency among frontline staff collecting sensitive demographic data.

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

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