Bill
Bill > A1321
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
The bill requires the Department of Health (department), in consultation with the State of Emergency Management, to revise the department's Pandemic Influenza Plan, or its successor plan. The bill requires the department to revise the plan to: (1) expand the scope of the emergencies anticipated by the plan to cover long-running and large-scale pandemic influenzas; (2) address each capability as outlined in the most recent United States Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capabilities: National Standards for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Public Health, or such successor guidance as may be promulgated by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (3) outline the specific roles, succession plans, decision rights, and operational responsibilities of each State agency during a public health emergency involving a pandemic influenza; (4) outline the department's approach to coordinating each element of a pandemic influenza emergency response with local health departments in New Jersey; (5) establish or identify crisis standards of care to guide the healthcare response to pandemic influenzas in the State; and (6) incorporate strategies to address any health equity gaps related to pandemic influenzas, including any gaps that were identified during the COVID-19 pandemic. In revising the plan pursuant to the bill, the department will solicit input from the Governor's Office, local health departments, and other key public health stakeholders as determined by the department. The plan will be subject to regular review by the department and the State Office of Emergency Management and will be updated on a regular basis as may be appropriate. The plan will be utilized by the department and the State Office of Emergency Management to design regular emergency response training exercises related to pandemic influenzas.
AI Summary
This bill requires the Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with the State Office of Emergency Management, to update its existing Pandemic Influenza Plan, or any future equivalent, to better prepare for and respond to widespread and prolonged influenza outbreaks. The revised plan must encompass a broader range of potential emergencies, align with national public health preparedness standards set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and clearly define the roles and responsibilities of all state agencies during such a crisis. It also mandates improved coordination with local health departments across New Jersey, the establishment of guidelines for healthcare during emergencies (known as crisis standards of care), and strategies to address health disparities, particularly those highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The DOH will gather input from the Governor's Office, local health departments, and other public health experts during this revision process, and the plan will undergo regular reviews and updates to ensure its effectiveness and will be used to conduct ongoing emergency response training exercises.
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Infrastructure Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1321 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1500/1321_I1.HTM |
Loading...