Official Site of The State of New Jersey

July 2026

Residents Using Their Voices for PNA and Accountability

Members of NJ Nursing Home Residents United have appeared front and center, testifying at recent Senate and Assembly committee hearings, and they’ve been even busier behind the scenes: circulating petitions, contacting legislators, and meeting with legislators and other officials. The goals are straightforward —to tell their stories and advocate for legislation to improve their lives, most notably a bill to almost triple the personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $140 a month.

Residents United is a group of resident leaders and advocates from across the state that meets regularly via the internet to build community statewide and identify common issues that residents face. The LTCO Community Engagement Program provides technical assistance and support.

So far in 2026, nursing home residents met with Acting Comptroller Shirley U. Emehelu; U.S. Sen. Andy Kim; and nine state legislators —most recently the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz.

PNA. Bill A2691, which raises the PNA to $140 a month, was unanimously approved by the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee in May. The committee chair, Assemblywoman Shanique Speight, is a primary sponsor of the bill. She met with Residents United members in April. Residents met in June with Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, chair of the Appropriations Committee —the next body that will vote on the bill. The Senate PNA bill, S1576, awaits a hearing in the Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee.

Financial Transparency. Meetings with legislators have also focused on Bill S2980/A4722, which requires robust reporting of nursing homes’ finances. Bill S2980 was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee in March. Meanwhile, A4722 awaits a hearing in the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee.

To learn more about Residents United or get involved in advocating for the PNA increase and other issues, call 609-690-4740 or email community@ltco.nj.gov.

Last Call to Join Us at the Table

Do you have a favorite recipe, memory, or meal tradition to share? It might be a great fit for Consumer Voice’s 2026 Residents’ Rights Challenge.

Submissions are due July 10! Learn more

Resident Voices: What’s your favorite song when you’re feeling down?

• Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra. - Melody W.
• Eres Un Arco Iris (Spanish for -You Are a Rainbow)- Humberto M.
• Since I’ve Laid my Burdens Down - Lea M.
• I set my ringtone to funny songs. Right now, I have the theme from Mister Ed. - Jim S.

New Jersey in the American Revolution Trivia

1. Who was the leader of the American forces during the Battle of Princeton?
1. Thomas Jefferson
2. George Washington
3. Benjamin Franklin
4. John Adams
2. Which river did George Washington famously cross before the Battle of Trenton?
1. Hudson River
2. Mississippi River
3. Delaware River
4. Potomac River
3. Which group of soldiers were hired by the British to fight against the American colonists and were defeated at Trenton?
1. French
2. Hessians
3. Spanish
4. Dutch
4. Why was New Jersey known as the 'Crossroads of the American Revolution'?
1. It was the site of the first battle.
2. It was centrally located and saw many troop movements.
3. It was where the Declaration of Independence was signed.
4. It was the last state to join the Union.
5. Who was the British commander defeated at the Battle of Princeton?
1. General Cornwallis
2. General Howe
3. General Burgoyne
4. General Rall

Answers: 1. b, 2. c, 3. b, 4. b, 5. a