NJ A1888

Prohibits owners, administrators, directors, officers, employees, and affiliated persons of long-term care facilities from serving as attorney-in-fact for residents; such powers of attorney are deemed invalid, though family members are exempt from this restriction

Requires Superior Court approval, in consultation with the Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults, before any facility-affiliated person can be appointed as a resident's guardian

Mandates the Department of Health develop a standardized resident admission agreement form within four months; facilities cannot require residents to sign any other documents as a condition of admission, and arbitration agreements must be separate documents with prominent disclosure that signing waives jury trial rights

Requires long-term care facilities to provide residents with a notice explaining their right to hire an attorney for Medicaid application assistance and warning about potential conflicts of interest with non-attorney services

Authorizes residents harmed by violations to sue for actual, compensatory, and punitive damages, plus treble damages for willful violations, and reasonable attorney's fees