Bill
Bill > A5596
NJ A5596
NJ A5596Establishes State stockpile of medicine and medical supplies; makes appropriation.
summary
Introduced
05/05/2025
05/05/2025
In Committee
05/05/2025
05/05/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Department of Health (department), in collaboration with the State Office of Emergency Management, to establish a Statewide strategic essential buffer stock for emergency preparedness and drug shortage prevention to be used and dispensed in the event of public health emergency, outbreak, or other emergency, including, but not limited to a natural disaster, man-made disaster, or mass casualty event at the local and State level. The bill defines "essential buffer stock" to mean an essential buffer stock of emergency and chronic disease medication, vaccines, and medical supplies, an essential medicine reserve, or a strategic inventory of essential medicines. Under the bill, the department, in collaboration the State Office of Emergency Management, will establish guidelines for the procurement, management, and distribution of medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies items in the essential buffer stock. The bill requires the department, in consultation with the State Office of Emergency Management and other relevant agencies, define a list of entities that may receive resources from the essential buffer stock. The department may contract with a private entity for the procurement of strategic emergency readiness supplies for, and the management and distribution of, the essential buffer stock, including a virtually sequestered buffer stock. The department may contract for the reservation of supplies stored by a private vendor-managed entity for the essential buffer stock, and the distribution of those supplies to locations specified by the department, consistent with the guidelines established pursuant to the bill. The bill requires the department, in collaboration with the State Office of Emergency Management, and other stakeholders, as necessary, to conduct demand planning and essential buffer stock modeling to help determine which emergency readiness supplies are to be included in the essential buffer stock at the discretion of the department. In maintaining and securing supplies pursuant to the bill, the department will seek to maximize available federal and State funding to implement the provisions of this act. The bill appropriates from the General Fund to the department such sums as are necessary to implement the provisions of the bill.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a statewide strategic essential buffer stock of medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies to help the state prepare for and respond to public health emergencies, outbreaks, natural disasters, and mass casualty events. The New Jersey Department of Health, in collaboration with the State Office of Emergency Management, will create guidelines for procuring, managing, and distributing these supplies, with a focus on prioritizing rural and medically underserved areas. The bill defines key terms such as "essential buffer stock" as an inventory of emergency and chronic disease medications, and "virtually sequestered buffer stock" as an inventory managed by a distribution vendor to prevent expiration and ensure availability during emergencies. The department may contract with private entities to procure and manage these supplies and will conduct demand planning to determine the types and quantities of supplies needed. The bill also requires the department to seek maximum federal and state funding for the program and appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund to implement the act. The legislation aims to ensure that healthcare providers, facilities, and other designated recipients have access to critical medical resources during times of crisis, with a particular emphasis on supporting vulnerable populations and regions.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 05/05/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5596 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6000/5596_I1.HTM |
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