A 4075 NJ

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Passed One Chamber

[First Reprint] ASSEMBLY, No. 4075 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 222nd LEGISLATURE � INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Sponsored by: Assemblyman� STERLEY S. STANLEY District 18 (Middlesex) Assemblywoman� CAROL A. MURPHY District 7 (Burlington) Assemblywoman� MARGIE DONLON, M.D. District 11 (Monmouth) Senator� JOSEPH F. VITALE District 19 (Middlesex) Senator� SHIRLEY K. TURNER District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

Co-Sponsored by: Assemblywoman Speight, Senator Mukherji, Assemblymen Freiman and Wainstein

SYNOPSIS ���� Authorizes DOH to establish partnerships in international public health.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT ���� As reported by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on May 11, 2026, with amendments. ��

An Act concerning public health collaboration and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes .

���� Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.� The Legislature finds and declares that: ���� a.� Emerging infectious diseases and public health emergencies pose significant risks to the health, safety, and economic stability of the residents of this State. ���� b.� On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14155, �Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization,� and formally exited the organization on January 22, 2026. �The World Health Organization (WHO) was founded in 1948 with the mission to act as a coordinating authority on international public health issues and emergencies. �The United States has been actively engaged with WHO throughout its history. �Withdrawal from this organization leaves a void in world health leadership, endangering the safety and wellbeing of billions of people. ���� c.� In 2025, the State established its first official Public Health Institute within the Center for Health Equity and Wellbeing to strengthen public health systems through innovation and collaboration. �The State also joined the multi-state Governors� Public Health Alliance and the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, which work to protect public health and facilitate communication and coordination across state lines to address shared public health challenges. ���� d.� New Jersey�s strategic location, combined with investments in transportation infrastructure, make the State a vital gateway for commerce and travel, connecting nearly 60 million consumers annually.� Therefore, rapid detection, information‑sharing, and coordinated response are critical to preventing and mitigating outbreaks of infectious disease. ���� e.� The WHO�s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network is a well‑established international technical collaboration that links public health agencies, laboratories, academic institutions, and response organizations to strengthen global outbreak preparedness and response. ���� f.� Participation in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network does not bind the State or the United States to international legal obligations. ���� g.� Authorizing the New Jersey Department of Health to pursue participation in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network and other initiatives in international public health will enhance the State�s capacity for outbreak preparedness, situational awareness, workforce development, and coordination with domestic and international partners.

���� 2.� As used in this act: ���� �Department� means the Department of Health. ���� �Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network� means the World Health Organization�s coordinated network of institutions, including public health agencies, academic centers, laboratories, and response organizations, that collaborate on detecting, verifying, and responding to disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies globally. ���� "Public health emergency" means an occurrence or imminent threat of an illness or health condition that is believed to be caused by bioterrorism, an epidemic or pandemic disease, or a novel or highly infectious agent that poses a substantial risk of a significant number of human fatalities or incidents of permanent or long‑term disability.

���� 3.� a.� The Department of Health is authorized 1 [ and directed ] 1 to take all reasonable and appropriate steps to seek participation in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. ���� b.� To carry out the purposes of subsection a. of this section, the department may: ���� (1) Communicate and coordinate with the World Health Organization and the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network operational support team; ���� (2) Submit expressions of interest, applications, or other documentation required for participation; ���� (3) Designate one or more offices, divisions, or programs within the department to serve as points of contact for the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network related activities; ���� (4) Participate in technical consultations, trainings, exercises, and information‑sharing activities consistent with the mission of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network; and ���� (5) Collaborate with federal, State, local, academic, and nonprofit partners, as appropriate, to support outbreak preparedness and response activities.

���� 4. �a.� Nothing in this act shall be construed to: ���� (1) establish membership of the State in the World Health Organization; ���� (2) authorize the department to enter into any agreement or undertaking that conflicts with federal law or the United States Constitution; ���� (3) permit the disclosure of confidential or personally identifiable health information except as otherwise authorized by State or federal law; or ���� (4) require the expenditure of funds beyond those appropriated or otherwise made available to the department.

���� 5.� a.� The Commissioner of Health, within 18 months following the effective date of this act 1 and subject to the availability of funds 1 , shall submit a report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature. ���� b.� The report shall include a description of actions taken by the Department of Health to pursue participation in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, the status of the department�s participation in, or application to, the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, a summary of any benefits, challenges, or resource needs identified through such participation or application, and any recommendations for further legislative or administrative action, including 1 , 1 but not limited to 1 , 1 participation in other international public health initiatives, as appropriate. ���� c.� The department shall post the report required pursuant to this section on its Internet website.

���� 6. �This act shall take effect immediately.