Bill > SJR31

Introduced Session

This joint resolution establishes the New Jersey Pharmacogenomics Commission (commission). Under the resolution, the commission is to be responsible for examining pharmacogenomics, which is the study of the relationship between a person's specific genetic makeup and the effectiveness or toxicity of medications used to treat any health-care related issue. The commission's examination is to include, but is not to be limited to: (1) costs related to pharmacogenomic testing currently and in the future; (2) how implementing pharmacogenomics may benefit prescribers, patients, and the State; (3) various applications for pharmacogenomics outside of medicine, such as the opioid crisis and others; (4) the relationship between pharmacogenomics applications in personalized medicine; (5) the results of previous studies on prescribing medicines and treatments based on pharmacogenomic science; (6) methods of educating patients and prescribers on prescribing medicine and treatment based on genetic makeup; (7) the relationship of pharmacogenomics in the reduction of the number of deaths, disabilities, and hospitalization from adverse drug events; and (8) the expected costs and benefits from implementing pharmacogenomics in the short-term and long-term. The commission is to consist of 13 members, to be appointed by the Governor as follows: a representative from the Department of Health; a representative from the Division of Pensions and Benefits in the Department of the Treasury; a representative from Rutgers Medical School who is a physician; a representative from Rutgers School of Pharmacy; a representative from Fairleigh Dickinson School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences; a representative from the New Jersey Hospital Association; a representative from the Medical of Society New Jersey; a representative from the New Jersey Pharmacists Association; a representative from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; a representative from BioNJ; a representative from the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University who is a physician; a representative from the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University who is a physician; and a professor of genetics. The Governor is to appoint representatives from the Department of Health, the Division of Pensions and Benefits in the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Rutgers Medical School, Rutgers School of Pharmacy, the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, and the professor of genetics. The President of the Senate is to appoint representatives from BioNJ, the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, and the New Jersey Pharmacists Association. The Speaker of the General Assembly is to appoint representatives from the Medical of Society New Jersey, Fairleigh Dickinson School of Pharmacy, and New Jersey Hospital Association. The Minority Leader of the Senate is to recommend the appointment of the representative from BioNJ. The Minority Leader of the General Assembly is to recommend the appointment of the representative from the Medical of Society New Jersey. The resolution provides that, no later than six months after organization, the commission is to hold at least two public hearings, one each in northern New Jersey and southern New Jersey, and to issue a report of its findings to the Governor and the Legislature, including recommendations for legislative, executive, or any other actions, as may be appropriate. The commission will expire upon submission of the report.

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Joe Pennacchio (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document