Emergency Health Powers Act (New Jersey Revised Statutes: Title 26 Health and Vital Statistics; Chapter 222)

This act establishes the procedure for the Declaration of public health emergency. In declaring a public health emergency, the Governor shall issue an order that specifies: (1) the nature of the public health emergency, (2) the geographic area subject to the declaration, (3) the conditions that have brought about the public health emergency to the extent known, and (4) the expected duration of the state of public health emergency, if less than 30 days. Such order may also prescribe necessary actions or countermeasures to protect the public's health. Any public health emergency declared pursuant to this act shall be terminated automatically after 30 days unless renewed by the Governor; the commissioner shall coordinate all matters pertaining to the public health response to a public health emergency, and shall have primary jurisdiction, responsibility and authority for: (1) planning and executing public health emergency assessment, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery for the State; (2) coordinating public health emergency response between State and local authorities; (3) collaborating with relevant federal government authorities, elected officials and relevant agencies of other states, private organizations or companies; (4) coordinating recovery operations and prevention initiatives subsequent to public health emergencies; and (5) organizing public information activities regarding public health emergency response operations. All such activities shall be taken in coordination with the State Office of Emergency Management and shall be executed in accordance with the State Emergency Operations Plan. The State Office of Emergency Management shall provide the commissioner with all required assistance.