TRENTON, N.J. — A bill sponsored by State Sen. Gordon Johnson, whose district includes Teaneck, Englewood, Hackensack, Bogota, Leonia, Tenafly and several neighboring communities, has been signed into law, easing financial reporting requirements for many of New Jersey's smaller home health care providers.

The new law raises the Medicaid reimbursement threshold that triggers an independent financial audit every three years from $250,000 to $500,000.

Home health agencies receiving less than $500,000 in Medicaid Personal Care Assistance reimbursements and under $10 million in annual revenue will no longer be required to undergo an independent third-party financial review. Instead, they'll submit streamlined reports detailing insurance coverage, litigation history, regulatory actions and key financial information.

Larger providers receiving more than $500,000 in Medicaid funding will continue to undergo independent audits.

"Families depend on home care providers to help their loved ones live safely and comfortably, and those providers should be able to spend their time caring for patients," said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco, the bill's prime sponsor.

Bucco said the measure reduces unnecessary paperwork while maintaining oversight and consumer protections.

The legislation passed the Senate unanimously and cleared the Assembly 79-0 before being signed into law by Gov. Mikie Sherrill.

Johnson joined Bucco as a Senate sponsor, alongside Assembly sponsors Roy Freiman, Avi Schnall and Christopher DePhillips.

The changes are expected to reduce administrative costs for smaller home health agencies while allowing state regulators to continue requiring audits if financial concerns arise.