Bill Text: NJ A5543 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires Governor hold public hearings during declarations under Emergency Health Powers Act.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-05-05 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee [A5543 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-A5543-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JON M. BRAMNICK
District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Requires Governor hold public hearings during declarations under Emergency Health Powers Act.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act requiring public hearings during declarations under the Emergency Health Powers Act, and supplementing P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. When a public health emergency declaration is issued by the Governor pursuant to P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.), the Governor, or a designee, shall hold public hearings at least once a month in various parts of the State to provide for the exchange of information regarding the impact of the declaration on the State and its residents and to provide an opportunity for members of the public to express concerns regarding the declaration.
2. Any extension or modification of a declaration that was initially issued pursuant to P.L.2005, c.222 (C.26:13-1 et seq.) prior to the effective date of P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall be subject to the provisions of section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill).
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Governor to hold public hearings when a public health emergency is declared under the Emergency Health Powers Act. The hearings will be held at least once a month and in various parts of the State. Currently, the public has limited opportunity to voice any concerns. This lack of opportunity to voice concerns has become an increasing issue with the prolonged restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under this bill, the Governor will be required to hold public hearings in various parts of the State to provide for the exchange of information regarding the impact of the declaration on the State and its residents and to provide an opportunity for members of the public to express their concerns regarding the declaration.
This bill will apply to any extension or modification of a declaration that was initially issued before the bill's effective date.
