NJ A3566

Creates an independent informal dispute resolution process for nursing homes, assisted living residences, comprehensive personal care homes, residential health care facilities, and dementia care homes to challenge inspection deficiencies cited by the Department of Health

Requires the Commissioner of Health to contract with an independent third-party panel of three objective individuals knowledgeable about facility inspection processes, with no affiliation to the department or the requesting facility

Empowers the panel to uphold, delete, or modify disputed deficiencies after conducting hearings under the Administrative Procedure Act, though the Commissioner retains authority to concur with, overrule, or modify panel determinations

Preserves the facility's right to pursue a formal contested case under the Administrative Procedure Act if the informal dispute resolution fails to resolve the issue

Takes effect 180 days after enactment, with funding appropriated from the Department of Health budget