Why are New Jersey nursing homes not conducting criminal background checks?

Many New Jersey nursing homes are reportedly not adequately conducting criminal background checks due to a lack of direct legislative authority for the state Department of Health to perform them, relying instead on third-party services.

What risks do New Jersey nursing home employees pose without background checks?

Employees without proper background checks could pose risks of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment to vulnerable residents in New Jersey nursing homes.

What is the state of New Jersey doing about nursing home background check failures?

New Jersey is enhancing recertification surveys to review new hires' files and increasing educational outreach to facilities, though direct state authority for checks is still pending legislative action.

Home / Health / NJ Nursing Homes Fail Background Checks, Risking Resident Safety

NJ Nursing Homes Fail Background Checks, Risking Resident Safety

18 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Many NJ nursing homes failed federal background check requirements.
This lapse could put vulnerable residents at risk of mistreatment.
State officials cite lack of legislative authority for direct checks.

NJ Nursing Homes Fail Background Checks, Risking Resident Safety

A recent federal audit highlighted significant failures in New Jersey nursing homes regarding mandatory criminal background checks for employees. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that many facilities did not ensure proper checks were conducted, potentially exposing residents to harm. This situation, involving 11 out of 12 audited homes, raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of individuals in long-term care.

Inspectors noted that the state's monitoring protocols were insufficient to prevent the hiring of individuals with disqualifying backgrounds. Officials from the New Jersey Department of Health acknowledged the findings but pointed to a lack of legislative authority for the department to perform these checks directly, relying on third-party services. As of June 2023, new recertification surveys were introduced to review all new hires' files.