NJ S4001

Transfers regulatory oversight of certified nurse aides (CNAs) from the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) to the New Jersey Board of Nursing

Removes references to "nurse aide" throughout existing statutes governing health care professional oversight, criminal background checks, and certification requirements while maintaining these provisions for personal care assistants under DOH

Requires CNAs to undergo criminal history record background checks under the Board of Nursing's authority rather than DOH, with new procedures to be established under sections 8 and 9 of the bill

Amends definitions of "health care professional" across multiple statutes (C.26:2H-12.2b, C.45:1-28, C.52:27D-407) to reflect the transfer of CNA oversight to the Board of Nursing

Introduced March 19, 2026 in the 222nd Legislature by Senator Joseph F. Vitale (District 19, Middlesex County)