Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman TENNILLE R. MCCOY
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Requires Commissioner of DOLWD to conduct study to identify composition of current health care workforce, estimate future gaps, and recommend solutions to address gaps.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning a study of the current status and future needs for the health care workforce in New Jersey.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, in consultation with the Departments of Health and Human Services, shall conduct a study of the current status and future needs for the health care workforce in New Jersey. The study shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:
(1) vacancy rates in the health care work force, broken down by provider, occupation, or specialty, and geographic region of the State;
(2) configuration of the health care workforce by: race; ethnicity and gender; occupation or specialty; educational level of the health care workforce; and the size of the health care workforce in each region of the State;
(3) patient care needs addressed by the health care workforce in each region of the State;
(4) a cross analysis of the data identified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this subsection to identify common themes and differences across categories;
(5) an estimate of the future pipeline of allied health care professionals in the health care workforce; and
(6) an identification of any gaps between projected demand and current supply, and a recommendation for addressing any identified gaps.
b. The commissioner shall submit a written report, within one year of the effective date of this act, to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature, setting forth the findings of the study and any recommendations for policy or legislative action.
c. As used in this section:
“Health care workforce” means any individual employed by a health care facility who is involved in direct patient care activities or clinical services, including but not limited to, a physician, nurse, respiratory specialist, diagnostic medical sonographer, dietician, medical technologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, radiographer, speech language pathologist, other clinical support professional, licensed culinary professional, and any other licensed or certified professional that is identified by the commissioner for inclusion in the study.
"Health care facility" means any institution, building or agency, or portion thereof, whether public or private, for profit or nonprofit, that is used, operated, or designed to provide health services, medical, or dental treatment or nursing, rehabilitative, or preventive care to any person. Health care facility includes, but is not limited to: an ambulatory surgical facility, home health agency, hospice, hospital, infirmary, intermediate care facility, dialysis center, long-term care facility, medical assistance facility, mental health center, paid and volunteer emergency medical services, outpatient facility, public health center, rehabilitation facility, residential treatment facility, skilled nursing facility, Veterans Affairs facility, and adult day care center. Health care facility also includes, but is not limited to, the following related property when used for or in connection with the foregoing: a laboratory, research facility, pharmacy, laundry facility, health personnel training and lodging facility, patient, guest and health personnel food service facility, and the portion of an office or office building used by persons engaged in health care professions or services.
2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire upon submission of the commissioner’s report required pursuant to subsection b. of section 1 of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, in consultation with the Departments of Health and Human Services, to conduct a study of the current and future needs for the health care workforce in New Jersey. The study would consist of research on (1) vacancy rates; (2) configuration of the workforce by race, ethnicity and gender, occupation or specialty, educational level, and size of the health care workforce in each region of the State; (3) patient care needs addressed by the health care workforce in each region of the State; (4) a cross analysis of the identified data to identify common themes and differences across categories; (5) an estimate of the future pipeline of the health care workforce; and (6) identification of any gaps between supply and demand, with recommendations on addressing the gaps. The commissioner would be required to submit a report to the Legislature setting forth the results of the study within one year of the effective date of the bill.