NJ S3023

Prohibits owners, administrators, directors, officers, and employees of long-term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living residences, dementia care homes) from managing residents' financial affairs or serving as their attorney-in-fact, except through court-appointed guardianship in consultation with the Office of the Public Guardian for Elderly Adults.

Requires the New Jersey Department of Health to develop standard resident admission agreement forms within four months of the act's effective date, with facilities required to use these forms for all new admissions starting in the sixth month.

Mandates that facilities provide residents a notice at admission informing them of their right to hire an attorney for Medicaid application assistance, warning that non-attorney services may have conflicts of interest or financial relationships with the facility.

Requires facilities subject to federal regulations (42 C.F.R. s.483.70) to notify residents that binding arbitration agreements cannot be required as a condition of admission or continued care.

Creates a private cause of action allowing residents harmed by violations to recover actual, compensatory, and punitive damages, with treble damages available for willful, malicious, or reckless violations, plus reasonable attorney's fees.