Bill Text: NJ A2461 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes "Natural Health and Vitality Task Force."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-02-14 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee [A2461 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-A2461-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman STERLEY S. STANLEY
District 18 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes "Natural Health and Vitality Task Force."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning natural health.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. There is established a task force to be known as the "Natural Health and Vitality Task Force." The purpose of the task force shall be to develop wellness programs and public policy regarding natural health and vitality.
b. The task force shall consist of nine members as follows: the Commissioner of Health, ex officio, or a designee, and eight public members who shall include at least: one naturopathic practitioner, one chiropractor, one psychologist, and one nutritionist. Naturopathic practitioners, chiropractors, psychologists, or nutritionists who have been appointed to the task force shall have actively engaged in their respective practice for at least five years immediately preceding their appointment to the task force. The eight public members shall be appointed by the Governor, four of whom shall be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the General Assembly, and four of whom shall be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the President of the Senate.
c. The members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties to the extent that such funds are made available for that purpose.
2. a. The task force shall organize within 45 days after the appointment of the eight public members and shall select a chairperson from among the public members. The task force shall meet at the call of the chairperson.
b. The Department of Health shall provide professional and clerical staff to the task force as may be necessary for the task force's purposes. The task force shall also be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be available for its purposes, and to employ stenographic and clerical assistance.
c. Five members of the task shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of official business.
3. The task force shall develop public policies concerning: the principles and science of natural health and vitality; the benefits of practicing lifestyle-based natural health and vitality activities; how to find local natural health and vitality practitioners; when natural health and vitality is an appropriate alternative or supplement to allopathy; and the education, qualifications, and training of natural health and vitality practitioners. The task force shall establish wellness programs concerning: the keys to optimal body function; healthy nutrition; proper exercise; rest; movement; immunity; longevity; a proactive approach to improved quality of life; chiropractors; certified personal trainers; massage therapists; acupuncture; reiki masters; certified clinical nutritionists; and psychologists. The task force shall study and develop recommendations for legislative action, if deemed appropriate, to address these issues.
4. The task force shall, no later than one year after the task force's initial organizational meeting, issue a report containing its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature, which report shall include any recommendations for legislative or regulatory action.
5. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire 30 days after the issuance of the task force's report as required pursuant to section 4 of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes the "Natural Health and Vitality Task Force" (task force).
Under the bill, the purpose of the task force is to develop wellness programs and public policy regarding natural health and vitality. Specifically, the task force is to develop public policies concerning: the principles and science of natural health and vitality; the benefits of practicing lifestyle-based natural health and vitality activities; how to find local natural health and vitality practitioners; when natural health and vitality is an appropriate alternative or supplement to allopathy; and the education, qualifications, and training of natural health and vitality practitioners. The task force is to establish wellness programs concerning: the keys to optimal body function; healthy nutrition; proper exercise; rest; movement; immunity; longevity; a proactive approach to improved quality of life; chiropractors; certified personal trainers; massage therapists; acupuncture; reiki masters; certified clinical nutritionists; and psychologists. The task force is to study and develop recommendations for legislative action, if deemed appropriate, to address these issues.
The task force will consist of the Commissioner of Health and eight public members who are to include at least: one naturopathic practitioner, one chiropractor, one psychologist, and one nutritionist. Naturopathic practitioners, chiropractors, psychologists, or nutritionists who have been appointed to the task force are to have actively engaged in their respective practice for at least five years immediately preceding their appointment to the task force. The eight public members are to be appointed by the Governor, four of whom are to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the General Assembly, and four of whom are to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the President of the Senate.
The bill provides that the task force is to organize within 45 days after the appointment of the eight public members. The Department of Health is to provide professional and clerical staff to the task force as may be necessary for the task force's purposes.
The bill provides that the task force is to issue a report containing its findings and recommendations to the Governor and to the Legislature, including any recommendations for legislative or regulatory action no later than one year after the task force's initial organizational meeting. The task force is to expire 30 days after the issuance of the task force's report.
