Political Updates:  

Although co-sponsors continue to be added to the following bills, there has been no movement of the bills as of 1-8-25.

Legislation Watch:

• Removal of APN/ Collaborating Agreement (A944/S1983)

• Referred to Assembly Health Committee
• Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
• 38/80 Assemblypersons and 21/40 Senators are sponsoring bill
• Asm. Conaway major obstacle to movement of bill now in Congress
• Awaiting appointment of Assembly Health Chair

• Nurse Staffing Committees (A966)

• Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee

• Nurse Title Protection (A4202)

• Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee

• BSN in 10 (A1017/S1050)

• Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee
• Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee

• Establishes initiatives related to nurses (A1659/S1949)

• Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee
• Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee

• Requires issuance of report on certain information and data on processing of applications for professional and occupational licenses and mandates review of training and call intake in Division of Consumer Affairs (A2805/S1761) 

• Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee
• Referred to Senate Commerce Committee

• Nurse Ratio bill — Sets mandated nurse to patient ratios (A9/S1941).

• Referred to Assembly Health Committee
• Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee

Meetings held with NJ Legislators and/or their staff regarding Nursing focused bills:

• Senator Vin Gopal District 11 (Tinton Falls/Monmouth County)

• Asm. James Kennedy District 22 (Rahway/Middlesex County)

• Both considering support of A944/S1983 with reservations.

Collaboration with the New Jersey Board of Nursing:

• All NJ Board of Nursing positions have been filled except one LPN and two public members.

• Continuing to facilitate resolution to problems that NJSNA members and non-members are experiencing. The NJSNA Executive Board met with leadership in the Division of Consumer Affairs last year to discuss issues that our members were having when contacting the board of nursing. This dialogue will remain open until resolutions are obtained.

• NJSNA continues to assist its members with any issues regarding licensure.

• NJBON subcommittee reviewing a proposed rule to add procedures to the APN joint protocols. Nursing Organizations including NJSNA have sent letters opposing this proposal. NJBON sent proposed rule to the Attorney’ General’s (AG) office for legal opinion. Still waiting for a response from AG’s office.

Collaboration with the American Nurses Association (ANA):

• Attended ANA Leadership Summit
• Attended Executive Enterprise Conference

Collaboration with other organizations:

NJSNA continues to network with and provide valuable input into the following:

• NJ Business and Industry Health Care Policy Committee 

• Clinicians for Climate Health.

• Jersey Renews

• ANCC Taskforce Subcommittee

• Consortium of New Jersey Nurse Educators

• ONL NJ Legislation and Advocacy Committee

• Rutgers University School of Nursing Advisory Committee 

• Kean University School of Nursing Advisory Committee 

• Felician University School of Nursing Advisory Committee

• Thomas Edison State University Advisory Committee

• Nurture New Jersey- looking at Maternal-child mortality and morbidity.

• New Jersey Collaborating Center

• New Jersey Nursing and Emotional Well-Being Institute (NJ-NEW)

• New Jersey Association of Nurse Anesthetists

• New Jersey State School Nurses

• New Jersey Nursing Students

• Nurses Service Organization (NSO) Insurance Company

• Lorna Breen Caring for Caregivers NJ Executive Committee

Meetings attended:

• Attended NJ Business and Industry Association Policy Conference- Panel discussion held with Gubernatorial Candidates:

• Steve Fulop, Democrat, Jersey City Mayor
• Sean Spiller, Democrat, Montclair Mayor and President of the NJ Education Association
• Steve Sweeney, Democrat, Former Senate President
• Jack Ciattarelli, Republican, Former Assemblyman 
• Bill Spadea Republican, NJ 101.5 Talk host

• Attended Webinar on Nurses in the Media- Shaping Health Policy

• Attended United Black Coalition Gala honoring the National Black Nurses Association NJ Chapters

Presentations:

• Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools on ANA Nursing Ethics and Social Media