Bill
Bill > A2291
NJ A2291
NJ A2291Establishes State stockpile of medicine and medical supplies; makes appropriation.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 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 mandates the Department of Health, in partnership with the State Office of Emergency Management, to create a Statewide "essential buffer stock," which is defined as a reserve of emergency and chronic disease medications, vaccines, and medical supplies. This stock is intended for use during public health emergencies, outbreaks, natural disasters, man-made disasters, or mass casualty events. The Department will develop guidelines for acquiring, managing, and distributing these supplies, potentially contracting with private entities for procurement and management, including a "virtually sequestered buffer stock" which is an inventory managed by a vendor to prevent expiration and ensure availability. The bill also requires the Department to identify which entities, such as healthcare providers and facilities, can receive these resources and to conduct planning to determine the specific supplies needed, prioritizing those in rural or medically underserved areas. Finally, the bill appropriates necessary funds from the General Fund to implement these provisions.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/A2291 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2500/2291_I1.HTM |
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