N.J. Stat. Ann. § 55:13B-1 et seq. § 55:13B-5.1
Responsibilities assumed by DOH; inter-agency agreement
Operative Text
15. a. The Department of Community Affairs shall cease its responsibilities for licensure, inspections, and the establishment and enforcement of standards with respect to each rooming or boarding house that provides services to residents with special needs, including, but not limited to, persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders or other forms of dementia, as of the date that the Department of Health assumes these responsibilities pursuant to section 18 of P.L.2015, c.125 (C.26:2H-149). b. The Department of Community Affairs shall establish and enter into an inter-agency agreement with the Department of Health as necessary for the purposes of this section and section 18 of P.L.2015, c.125 (C.26:2H-149). L.2015, c.125, s.15.
Under N.J.S.A. 55:13B-1 et seq. § 55:13B-5.1, New Jersey shifted oversight of rooming and boarding houses that serve residents with special needs—including those with Alzheimer's disease, related disorders, or other forms of dementia—from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to the Department of Health (DOH). The transfer of licensing, inspection, and standards-enforcement authority takes effect on the date the DOH formally assumes those responsibilities under the companion statute. The two agencies are also required to formalize this handoff through a written inter-agency agreement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rooming or boarding houses that serve residents with special needs should be aware that, under N.J.S.A. 55:13B-1 et seq. § 55:13B-5.1, the agency responsible for their facility's licensure and inspections changed from the DCA to the DOH as of the statutory transfer date. Compliant operators generally confirm which agency now holds jurisdiction over their facility type and direct licensing renewals, inspection requests, and standards inquiries to the DOH accordingly. Maintaining current documentation of the applicable agency contact and any updated standards issued by the DOH is a common practice for operators managing this type of facility.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of rooming or boarding houses that serve people with special needs—including those with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia—should know that N.J.S.A. 55:13B-1 et seq. § 55:13B-5.1 transferred regulatory oversight of these facilities from the DCA to the DOH. This means that complaints about licensing violations, inspection failures, or unmet care standards at such a facility would generally be directed to the DOH rather than the DCA. Tenants or their advocates seeking to understand which agency to contact, or how to raise a concern about facility conditions, may consult the DOH directly or reach out to a tenant-rights or disability-rights organization for general guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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