New Jersey Statutes Title 30. Institutions and Agencies 30 § 13-18

a. Notwithstanding any other staffing requirements as may be established by law, every nursing home as defined in section 2 of P.L.1976, c. 120 (C.30:13-2) or licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c. 136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.) shall maintain the following minimum direct care staff-to-resident ratios:

b. Upon any expansion of resident census by the nursing home, the nursing home shall be exempt from any increase in direct care staffing ratios for a period of nine consecutive shifts from the date of the expansion of the resident census.

d. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes as may be required by the Commissioner of Health for staff other than direct care staff, including certified nurse aides, or to restrict the ability of a nursing home to increase staffing levels, at any time, beyond the established minimum.

e. The minimum direct care staffing ratios required by this section shall not apply to any pediatric long-term care facility licensed by the Department of Health.

f. As used in this section, “direct care staff member” means any registered professional nurse, licensed practical nurse, or certified nurse aide who is acting in accordance with that individual's authorized scope of practice, and pursuant to documented employee time schedules.