[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1518

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED OCTOBER 3, 1996

By Senator SINAGRA

An Act concerning home health care and supplementing P.L.1991, c.377 (C. 45:11-45 et seq.).

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

    1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, a home health care agency licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.)¹, a health care service firm registered pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:45B-14.1 et seq., a Medicare-certified hospice program¹ or ¹[its] the¹ employees ¹of the agency, firm or program¹ who are registered professional nurses may purchase, store or transport for the purpose of administering to their home health patients the following noncontrolled drugs: sterile saline solution, sterile water, adrenalin/epinephrine, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, heparin flush solution and any other noncontrolled drug approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, in consultation with the State Board of Medical Examiners and the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy. Such drugs shall only be administered pursuant to protocols utilized by a health care professional licensed to prescribe drugs in New Jersey.

    The New Jersey Board of Nursing, in consultation with the State Board of Medical Examiners and the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy, may adopt rules and regulations establishing minimum standards for the purchase, storage, handling, use and disposal of such drugs pursuant to this act.

    2. This act shall take effect on the 60th day after enactment.

Allows home health care agencies to possess and administer certain noncontrolled prescription drugs.