SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2551

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 19, 2026

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2551.

      As reported by the committee, this bill designated as “Anthony Maruca’s Law,” requires a law enforcement officer employed by a police department or force that makes available to the officer an epinephrine auto-injector device to successfully complete an approved educational program for the emergency administration of epinephrine and provide the officer’s employing entity with a copy of a certificate of completion of an approved educational program.

     Under the bill, a police department or force employing law enforcement officers may obtain, maintain, and make available to law enforcement officers employed by the department or force epinephrine auto-injector devices which may be used by the law enforcement officers while in the performance of official duties.  In addition, the bill provides that a police department or force that makes epinephrine auto-injector devices available to its officers may maintain the devices in vehicles or medical supply kits, consistent with any standards, protocols, or guidelines established by the Commissioner of Health pursuant to regulation.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.