Bill > S4003

Introduced Session

This bill would establish a "New Jersey One Health Task Force" in the Department of Health. The task force is charged with developing a strategic plan to promote inter-disciplinary communication and collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, and other scientific professionals and State agencies, with the goal of promoting the health and well-being of the State's residents, animals, and environment. The task force would consist of the following members: the Secretary of Agriculture, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, and the Commissioner of Health, or their respective designees; and 10 members appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, as follows: one person representing the medical community, who is a medical practitioner licensed to practice in the State; two people who are veterinarians licensed or approved to practice in the State by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, one of whom has knowledge, competence, or experience with farm animals; one person with knowledge, competence, or experience in medical research; one person with knowledge, competence, or experience in zoonotic diseases; two people with expertise, knowledge, and experience in epidemiology or biomedical sciences; and three people representing the State's academic community with expertise, knowledge, and experience in public health, ecology, natural resources, or environmental and biological sciences. "One Health" recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment. One Health is not a new concept, but it has become increasingly important in recent years, as many factors have changed interactions between people, animals, and the environment, leading to the emergence or reemergence of many diseases. A One Health approach encourages collaborative efforts of experts working across human, animal, and environmental health to improve the health of people and animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention established a One Health Office, recognizing that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the shared environment. This bill would ensure that this collaborative effort also occurs at the State level.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Bob Smith (D)*,  Joe Vitale (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 06/24/2019)

Official Document