New Jersey Assembly Bill A4595

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/17/24
• Refer: 6/17/24
• Refer: 9/23/24

Caption

Requires Executive Branch departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to identify and assess COVID-19 measures and their viability for future potential emergency scenarios.

Impact

The bill requires that one year after its effective date and annually thereafter, each department submits a report to the Governor and the Legislature. This report must include an assessment of the measures identified, a discussion of their effectiveness, and plans for implementing actions in future emergencies, which will be publicly available via departmental websites. This approach is intended to enhance the readiness of the state to respond efficiently in the event of future public health emergencies.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4595 mandates each department, agency, and instrumentality of the Executive Branch in New Jersey to develop a comprehensive inventory of actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill aims to ensure that these entities assess the effectiveness of their COVID-19 measures and evaluate their viability for future emergency scenarios. This process would involve a systematic cataloging of guidelines, policies, waivers, and directives that were implemented during the pandemic.

Contention

A4595 reflects a legislative effort to learn from the recent pandemic experience by institutionalizing a review and reporting process for emergency response measures. Key points of contention may arise around the scope of the measures to be assessed and the potential implications for efficiency and accountability in governmental operations. Stakeholders might debate the adequacy of the proposed reporting mechanisms and whether they sufficiently address the complexities of emergency management.