NJ Set to Continue Path to $15 Minimum Wage
September 22, 2022
In February of 2019, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation to
raise the minimum wage in New Jersey from $8.85 to $10 an hour
later that year. The same legislation put New Jersey on the path
to have a $15 minimum wage by 2024.
On January 1, 2020, the minimum wage...
NJ OAG Announces Availability of Funds for Creation of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Sites
September 20, 2022
The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General has issued a Notice
of Availability of Funds for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2021
Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based
Program (COSSAP) Category 2: Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion
(LEAD) Sites...
NJ Is Ready to Continue Coverage for Preventive Care, regardless of Court Ruling that Threatens ACA
September 15, 2022
On September 7, 2022, U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor ruled in
favor of a group claiming that the Affordable Care Act (ACA),
also known as Obamacare, requirements to cover HIV prevention
drugs violate their religious freedoms. In his ruling, District
Judge O'Conno...
New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission Issues Interim Guidance on Workplace Impairment
September 13, 2022
On Friday, September 9, 2022, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory
Commission (NJ-CRC) issued temporary guidance for identifying and
taking action against workplace impairment, specifically from
cannabis.
As stated in the guidance, the NJ-CRC "is charged with
pres...
DMHAS Adds Buprenorphine and Associated Services to SUD FFS Initiatives Contract Enhancement Package
September 12, 2022
The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services
(DMHAS) has announced changes to the Substance Use
Disorder (SUD) Fee for Service (FFS) Initiatives Contract
Enhancement Package (Vivitrol) to include Buprenor...
Behavioral Healthcare Continuum, Workforce Are Critical for to Achieve Recovery, Avoid Suicide Risk
September 9, 2022
September Is National Suicide Prevention Month and National
Recovery Month
Across the nation, drastic shortages of mental healthcare and
substance use disorder (SUD) treatment professionals have
resulted in only about 28% of the need for these services being
met,...
New Jersey Set to Receive up to Nearly $36 Million in Multistate JUUL Settlement
September 8, 2022
On September 7, 2022, a multi-state settlement agreement was
reached between e-cigarette manufacturer JUUL and 34 states and
territories within the U.S. The initial lawsuit filed against
JUUL was led by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong. The
suit alleged that...
Most New Jersey School Districts Drop Mask Requirements and Relax COVID-19 Guidelines
September 7, 2022
As the school year is beginning around the State of New Jersey,
most districts in the state have dropped their mask requirements
for students and teachers, and have relaxed their COVID-19
guidelines, including those regarding testing.
Nearly all school districts ha...
Federal Govt. Proposes Rule to Simplify Healthcare Enrollment Process for Millions of Americans
September 6, 2022
On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration
proposed a new rule to overhaul the enrollment processes for
Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and
Basic Health Programs (BHPs), and eliminate arbitrary coverage
caps for children ...
Childcare Staffing Shortages Lead to Children Being Turned Away from Care in NJ
September 1, 2022
Staffing shortages are affecting many facets of life for New
Jerseyans and Americans across the country. One of the latest
impacts comes regarding childcare in the state.
As stated in a
report from Advocates for Children in New Jersey, a
staffing shortage in chi...
Medicaid/CHIP Coverage to End for Many Individuals; Help Prevent Coverage Gaps
August 29, 2022
In anticipation of the public health emergency ending,
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is
helping state governments, other partner organizations
and current Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance ...
New Jersey Joins in $450M Nationwide Opioid Settlement
August 25, 2022
On Monday, Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced
that New Jersey, along with a coalition of state attorneys
general, have reached an agreement in principle with opioid maker
Endo International PLC for its role in the opioid crisis. The
agreement would pr...
Temporary Public Service Loan Forgiveness Available for Government, Nonprofit Employees
August 23, 2022
As reported in the National Council of Nonprofits' newsletter,
nonprofit employees have a little over two months to take
advantage of the temporary Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
waiver.
The PSLF program forgives the balance of most federal student
loans af...
Important Updates on CCBHC Demonstration Program, Including Expansion in Current Demo States
August 22, 2022
The National Council for Wellbeing passed along the following
important updates shared yesterday by the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the Certified Community
Behavioral Health ...
Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Easing COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Some
August 18, 2022
On Monday, August 15, 2022, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 302, which lifts the
requirements that school districts, childcare settings, and state
contractors maintain a policy of requiring unvaccinated workers
to undergo routine testing.
It was disti...
