ASSEMBLY, No. 2973

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

220th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 28, 2022

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

Assemblywoman  CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

Assemblywoman  SHANIQUE SPEIGHT

District 29 (Essex)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman Mosquera

SYNOPSIS

     Requires DOH to develop mobile senior citizen assistance program.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

An Act concerning assistance for senior citizens and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

     1.    Within 180 days following the effective date of this act, the Department of Health shall develop and implement a mobile senior citizen assistance program from available funds.  The program shall consist of the periodic deployment of staffed vehicles to locations at or near nursing homes and senior citizen centers, events, gatherings, and residences in this State to provide general assistance to senior citizens which shall include, but shall not be limited to, assistance with: completing applications, correspondence, food services, health care services, Internet access and use, legal services, making appointments, tax services, transportation, and the use of computers and mobile devices. 

     2.    The Commissioner of Health shall adopt rules and regulations, in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.

     3.    This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

     This bill requires the Department of Health (department) to develop a mobile senior citizen assistance program.

     Under the bill, the department is to develop and implement a mobile senior citizen assistance program.  The program is to consist of the periodic deployment of staffed vehicles to locations at or near nursing homes and senior citizen centers, events, gatherings, and residences in this State to provide general assistance to senior citizens which is to include, but is not to be limited to, assistance with: completing applications, correspondence, food services, health care services, Internet access and use, legal services, making appointments, tax services, transportation, and the use of computers and mobile devices. 

     This bill is based on the Ocean County MASH Unit— a program implemented by the Ocean County Board of Commissioners to help seniors in that county through the use of vehicles staffed by Ocean County Senior Services.