SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2865

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 7, 2020

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2865.

      This bill requires individuals, other than physicians, who are employed by, or who provide services at, a general acute care hospital, psychiatric hospital, nursing facility, group home, or assisted living facility to disclose to that entity:   (1)  the name of any other general acute care hospital, psychiatric hospital, nursing facility, group home, or assisted living facility at which the individual is employed or provides services; and (2) any outbreak of an infectious disease occurring at a general acute care hospital, psychiatric hospital, nursing facility, group home, or assisted living facility at which the individual is employed or provides services.  The disclosure concerning other employers is to be made within 30 days after the effective date of the bill or 30 days after the date the individual commences employment or providing services at the other employer, whichever date is later.  The disclosure concerning outbreaks of infectious diseases is to be made promptly after the individual knows or reasonably should know of the outbreak.

      A general acute care hospital, psychiatric hospital, nursing facility, group home, or assisted living facility that identifies an individual who fails to make a disclosure required under the bill will be required to report the individual to the Department of Health and to the professional licensing board having jurisdiction over the individual, if any.

      An individual who fails to make a required disclosure may be liable to up to a 30-day suspension of the individual’s professional licensure or certification, if any, a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation, or both.