The Office of Certificate of Need and Healthcare Facility Licensure of the Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing in the Senior Services and Health Systems Branch of the Department of Health and Senior Services (Department) is proposing to readopt N.J.A.C. 8:33H, Certificate of Need: Policy Manual for long Term Care Services.  The notice of proposal appears in the September 21, 2009, issue of the New Jersey Register.

          N.J.A.C. 8:33H implements the provisions of the Health Care Facilities Planning Act, N.J.S.A. 26:2H-1 et seq., by establishing the certificate of need and related planning requirements for long-term care services.  N.J.A.C. 8:33H governs the certificate of need process for long-term care facilities including nursing homes, pediatric and specialized long-term care services, continuing care retirement communities, Statewide restricted admission facilities, assisted living residences and programs and comprehensive personal care homes, and would impose requirements on applicants for and holders of certificates of need for these kinds of long-term care facilities.  The rules proposed for readoption establish the certificate of need application and planning requirements and contain planning formulae.  The criteria and standards contained in the proposed readoption of N.J.A.C. 8:33H are designed to promote the Department’s commitment to planning for long-term care services and to the on-going promotion of the goals of quality, access, affordability, and community participation in long-term care services planning.

          The public has until November 20, 2009, to comment on the notice of proposal. Persons wishing to comment on the proposal must submit their comments in writing to Ruth Charbonneau, Director, Office of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Health and Senior Services, PO Box 360, Trenton, NJ 08625-0360.  Written comments on the proposal must be postmarked on or before November 20, 2009, which is the close of the 60-day public comment period.