S5012

An Act establishing the New Jersey Center for Black Excellence in Health and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. a. There is established at Rutgers University the New Jersey Center for Black Excellence in Health. The purpose of the center is to:

(1) facilitate public health programs and services that benefit Black communities and people of color;

(2) research and disseminate information on evidence-based models of health care and best practices necessary to promote culturally congruent care;

(3) establish new and support existing collaborative and community-driven partnerships designed to improve the State’s public health system and eliminate health disparities in historically underserved or marginalized communities; and

(4) recommend systemic changes in the State’s public health care system, including, but not limited to, strategies for the implementation of policies, programs, and services that advance the goals of the center.

b. (1) The New Jersey Center for Black Excellence in Health shall establish a steering committee to foster partnerships among State and local governments, health care plans, health care providers, licensed health care facilities, public health-related advocacy organizations, community-based organizations, business leaders, and other stakeholders within the State public health care system to contribute to the direction and sustainability of the center. Members of the steering committee shall serve in an advisory capacity only. The members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(2) The steering committee shall consist of 12 members and shall be co-chaired by the President of Rutgers University and the Commissioner of Health, or their designees. Other members of the steering committee shall include one representative from each of the following:

(a) the Department of Banking and Insurance;

(b) the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services in the Department of Human Services;

(d) the New Jersey Business and Industry Association;

(e) the New Jersey Hospital Association; and

(f) the Association of Physicians and Surgeons New Jersey.

The steering committee shall also include one representative from the NAACP New Jersey State Conference, and one representative each from organizations engaged in health equity advocacy, healthcare consumer advocacy, and racial justice advocacy.

c. The New Jersey Center for Black Excellence in Health shall apply for and accept grant funds, or any other funds, to support the operations and duties of the center, as made available by the federal government, private foundations or entities, or any other sources.

d. Rutgers University may enter into contracts, as permitted by law, with public or private individuals, organizations, and institutions, and hire such additional staff as may be necessary to advance the purposes of this act.

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill establishes the New Jersey Center for Black Excellence in Health at Rutgers University. The purpose of the center is to: (1) facilitate public health programs and services that benefit Black communities and people of color; (2) research and disseminate information on evidence-based models of health care and best practices necessary to promote culturally congruent care; (3) establish new and support existing collaborative and community-driven partnerships designed to improve the State’s public health system and eliminate health disparities in historically underserved or marginalized communities; and (4) recommend systemic changes in the State’s public health care system, including, but not limited to, strategies for the implementation of policies, programs, and services that advance the goals of the center.

The center is to establish a 12-member steering committee, as delineated in the bill, to foster partnerships among State and local governments, health care plans, health care providers, licensed health care facilities, public health-related advocacy organizations, community-based organizations, business leaders, and other stakeholders within the State public health care system to contribute to the direction and sustainability of the center. The center is also to apply for and accept grant funds, or any other funds, to support the operations and duties of the center

Under the bill’s provisions, Rutgers University may enter into contracts with public or private individuals, organizations, and institutions to advance the purposes of the bill, and hire additional staff as may be necessary to advance the purposes of the bill.