Bill Text: NJ SCR105 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Amends Constitution to provide $10 million in annual State funding to support public health measures.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-05-09 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [SCR105 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-SCR105-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Amends Constitution to provide $10 million in annual State funding to support public health measures.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article VIII, Section II of the Constitution of the State of New Jersey by adding a new paragraph thereto.
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):
1. The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is agreed to:
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Amend Article VIII, Section II by adding a new paragraph 10 to read as follows:
10. In recognition of the State's responsibility to support the public health of New Jersey residents, beginning with the State fiscal year commencing on July 1, 2023, and in each State fiscal year thereafter, there shall be credited from the General Fund to the Department of Health an amount not less than $10,000,000, which amount shall be distributed by the Department of Health to local health agencies for the exclusive purpose of supporting public health initiatives, services, and programs provided by local health agencies. The public health initiatives, services, and programs that may be supported using the amount credited annually to the Department of Health pursuant to this paragraph shall include initiatives, programs, and services to: track, prevent the spread of, and treat communicable disease; promote the use of primary care providers and the provision of preventative care services; prevent and treat chronic illness; address emergent public health issues within the area served by the local health agency; and address other public health needs within the area served by the local health agency. It shall not be competent for the Legislature, under any pretense whatever, to borrow, appropriate, or use the amounts credited to the Department of Health pursuant to this paragraph, or any portion thereof, for any purpose or in any manner other than as enumerated in this paragraph.
2. When this proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the next general election occurring more than three months after the final agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Secretary of State, not less than three months prior to the general election.
3. This proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the following manner and form:
There shall be printed on each official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:
a. In every municipality in which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede the question as follows:
If you favor the proposition printed below make a cross (X), plus (+), or check (a) in the square opposite the word "Yes." If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (a) in the square opposite the word "No."
b. In every municipality the following question:
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CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT DEDICATING ANNUAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH |
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YES |
Do you approve amending the Constitution to require that at least $10 million each fiscal year be credited to the Department of Health to support local public health measures? The department would provide the money to local health agencies to support local public health initiatives, programs, and services. |
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INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT |
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NO |
This amendment would require that at least $10 million in State funds be annually dedicated to supporting public health initiatives, programs, and services. The money would be distributed by the Department of Health to local health agencies. The public health measures supported by these moneys would include tracking, preventing, and treating communicable disease; promoting primary and preventative care; preventing and treating chronic illness; responding to emerging public health issues, and addressing local public health issues. |
STATEMENT
This resolution proposes an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution requiring that $10 million be annually credited to the Department of Health to support local public health initiatives, services, and programs. The department would be required to distribute the funds to local health agencies, which would use the funds to: track, prevent the spread of, and treat communicable disease; promote the use of primary care providers and the provision of preventative care services; prevent and treat chronic illness; address emergent public health issues within the area served by the local health agency; and address other public health needs within the area served by the local health agency. The Legislature would be prohibited from using all or a portion of the credited funds for any purpose other than those outlined in the proposed amendment.
