Authorizes DOH to establish partnerships in international public health.

A4075 1R

[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.