JERSEY CITY – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would give the Governor and the State Commissioner of Health greater authority to declare a public health emergency and give them access to the tools necessary to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the emergency was signed into law today.
Vitale joined Acting Governor Albio Sires when he signed the bill at Jersey City Medical Center.
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would give the Governor and the State Commissioner of Health greater authority to declare a public health emergency and give them access to the tools necessary to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the emergency was approved by the Senate by a vote of 38-0, giving it final legislative approval.
“Given the State’s proximity to two major metropolitan areas, and our seemingly constant status as a homeland security target, New Jersey needs to be able to respond to the unthinkable in a heartbeat,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health Committee. “In the event of a bioterrorist attack, rapid response is essential to protect the health and safety of the nine million residents of the Garden State. Without proper planning and safeguards in place, we’re opening the door to maximize the impact of tragedy.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would give the Governor the authority to declare a public health emergency and take steps to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the emergency was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 39-0.
“In certain situations, the Governor and the State Department of Health need to be able to move quickly when the lives of New Jerseyans are at risk due to a public health crisis,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health Committee. “This bill gives the State of New Jersey the ability to provide a rapid response to the worst health risks, when the regular governmental deliberation might not be fast enough to stop the spread of an epidemic, or to respond to a bioterrorist threat. The Governor needs the authority to do whatever’s necessary to save New Jerseyans’ lives.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph F. Vitale which would give the Governor the authority to declare a public health emergency and take steps to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the emergency was released from the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
“This bill would give the Governor the ability to respond rapidly when a public health crisis threatens the well-being of New Jersey’s residents,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, the Chairman of the Senate Health Committee. “Government needs certain safeguards in place so that, in the event of an immediate health risk, we can respond effectively and efficiently to protect New Jerseyans. This bill would give us the tools to respond.”