This first installment of our overview of regulations finalized in 2025 summarizes recently adopted rules and amendments affecting healthcare providers, long-term care facilities, residential operators, and licensed professionals. These updates address a range of operational, licensure, compliance, and resident care issues, underscoring the importance for regulated entities to review applicable requirements and assess any necessary policy, procedure, or training updates.
Rooming and Boarding Houses
On January 6, 2025, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) published 57 N.J.R. 13(b), which adopted amendments to N.J.A.C. §§ 5:27-1.5, 1.6, 1.9, 2.1, 4.6, 4.7, and 6.1, as well as new rules codified at N.J.A.C. §§ 5:27-13.1, 13.2, and 13.3. The amendment to N.J.A.C. § 5:27, which governs rooming and boarding houses, was long in the making and includes clarification of operator and staff requirements relating to occupancy of Class F cooperative sober living residences (CSLRs) and new maintenance requirements to ensure the safety and security of the residents and operators of all classes of rooming and boarding houses. The DCA also published new rules at N.J.A.C. § 5:27, which set out additional conditions for CSLRs regarding scope, house rules, and safety requirements. The full text of the adopted amendments and rules can be accessed here.
Continuing Education Requirements for Ophthalmic Dispensers and Technicians
On February 3, 2025, the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners published 57 N.J.R. 262(a), which adopted amendments to N.J.A.C. §§ 13:33-6.1 and 6.2 that govern continuing education requirements for ophthalmic dispensers and technicians. The amendments increased the number of continuing education credits licensed ophthalmic dispensers must complete to renew their license from 12 to 15. The amendments also allow licensed ophthalmic dispensers to carry over up to three credits if they were earned during the last year of the preceding biennial period. The full text of the adopted amendments can be accessed here.
Standards for the Prevention of Social Isolation of Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities
On February 18, 2025, the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) published 57 N.J.R. 375(b), which adopted amendments to and new rules for N.J.A.C. §§ 8:36-1.3 and 13A, 8:37-1.2 and 10, 8:39-1.2 and 39A, and 8:43-1.3 and 17. The new rules collectively govern long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, comprehensive personal care homes, residential healthcare facilities, and dementia care homes that the DOH licenses pursuant to the Health Care Facilities Planning Act, N.J.S.A. 26:2H-1, et seq., and N.J.S.A. 26:2H-97. The new rules ensure that all covered long-term care facilities take steps to prevent the social isolation of residents through policies and procedures as required by the rules, which include regular assessments of individuals’ needs. The full text of the adopted rules can be accessed here.
Standards for the Licensure of Assisted Living Facilities, Comprehensive Personal Homes; Participation in the Deemed Status Program
On April 21, 2025, the New Jersey DOH published 57 N.J.R. 839(a), which adopted amendments to N.J.A.C. §§ 8:36-1.3 and 2.4. The amendments effectively replace the former Advanced Standing Pilot Program, which allowed licensed assisted living residences to be exempted from required department-led inspections, with a new Deemed Status program. The new Deemed Status program utilizes recognized accrediting organizations to conduct inspections rather than department-led inspections by the Health Care Association of New Jersey. If deemed compliant by the DOH, a facility must then submit to the DOH every two years documentation of accreditation by a recognized accrediting organization and a remediation plan, if required. Authorized staff of the DOH may still survey a facility at any time, regardless of whether the facility holds Deemed Status; for example, for complaint investigations. The full text of the adopted amendments can be accessed here.
Division of Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality and Access to Records Update
On May 5, 2025, the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) published 57 N.J.R. 921(a), which adopted amendments to N.J.A.C. §§ 10:41-3.2(b) and 10:41-3.3(c). The sections address community services for individuals with developmental disabilities and confidentiality protections for clients and provider agency records. The amendments address the disclosure of records and reports of investigations involving DHS clients to a guardian. Additionally, the amendments revise the ban on audio and video recording in residential settings, except for treatment purposes or healthcare operations, absent written authorization from the individual or the individual’s legal guardian. The amendments permit agencies to conduct audio and video monitoring in accordance with N.J.A.C. § 10:44A-2.2(b)(21), which authorizes such monitoring in common areas of licensed residential settings. The full text of the adopted amendments can be accessed here.
Dental Assistant Registration Amendments
On May 5, 2025, the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs, State Board of Dentistry published 57 N.J.R. 922(a), which amended N.J.A.C. § 13:30-2.2 governing the requirements for registration as a registered dental assistant. The amendment now requires dental assistant applicants to pass the Certified Dental Assistant Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) within 10 years preceding the date of application and to have obtained at least two years of work experience as a dental assistant during the five-year period preceding the application for registration. Additionally, prior to the amendment, an applicant who successfully completed a program in expanded functions was also required to pass the New Jersey Expanded Functions Examination administered by the DANB. The amendment now permits an applicant who successfully completes a board-approved expanded functions program to bypass the examination requirement. The full text of the adopted amendment can be accessed here.
Bias Training in Physician Assistant Perinatal Care
On May 5, 2025, the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs, State Board of Medical Examiners published 57 N.J.R. 923(a) as recommended by the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee. The rule amends N.J.A.C. §§ 13:35-2B.8(c), (d), and (e) to require a physician assistant who provides perinatal treatment and care to pregnant persons to complete one of the 50 continuing education credit hours currently required on evidence-based explicit and implicit bias training. The full text of the adopted rule can be accessed here.