ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4362

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 3, 2024

      The Assembly Health Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4362.

      As amended, this bill provides for the designation and establishment of a Public Health Institute (institute).

     The bill requires the Commissioner of Health (commissioner) to designate one or more nonprofit entities to serve as the institute.  The institute will:

     (1)  coordinate among national, State, and local agencies, as well as private organizations, for the purposes of promoting equitable public health services in New Jersey;

     (2)   provide timely administrative, operational, and fiscal support to public and private health agencies, community-based organizations, and other strategic partners;

     (3)   develop and implement projects, programs, initiatives, or services designed to improve public health outcomes, address racial disparities in public health, and bridge gaps between public and private sector health care and community services;

     (4)   promote, support, and fund programs related to workforce development, education, applied research, policy development, and other initiatives that advance the purposes of the institute;

     (5)   enter into contracts for the purchase of medical countermeasures, supplies, or therapeutics, or other products or service agreements as may be necessary to aid the department in advancing or protecting the public health; and

     (6)   engage in charitable programs dedicated to the purposes and objectives of the institute.

     The commissioner will establish the following criteria for an entity to be designated as an institute:

     (1)   be a nonprofit organization located in New Jersey;

     (2)   be recognized by the National Network of Public Health Institutes or another membership or accreditation body for public health institutes;

     (3)   possess the capacity to integrate and coordinate public health functions on a local, county, and Statewide level;

     (4)   maintain a network of personnel with expertise in the areas of health care data collection and analysis, health care policy, health care information systems, and public health research; and

     (5)   any other criteria established by the commissioner.

     An entity designated as the institute will enter into an agreement with the department requiring the entity to:

     (1)   comply with all applicable laws and regulations necessary to qualify for and maintain its nonprofit status;

     (2)   regularly consult with and give due consideration to the input and recommendations of the Department of Health and local health departments in carrying out its duties;

     (3)   develop and submit to the department an operational plan;

     (4)   submit to the department an initial startup plan of certain issues, projects, and action items the institute will pursue in the first three years of its designation;

     (5)   submit periodic planning documents and progress reports to the department at such intervals as may be determined by the commissioner;

     (6)   provide information, assistance, and services as may be required by the department in order to design, plan, implement, or coordinate any projects, programs, initiatives, or services that advance the mutual purposes of the department and the institute;

     (7)   report any data collected or maintained by the institute to the department; and

     (8)   comply with any other requirements as may be determined by the commissioner.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments require the Public Health Institute to collaborate with local health departments.