{"data":{"id":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-26-2ff-3","jurisdiction":"us-nj","citation":"N.J. Stat. § 26:2FF-3","heading":"Public Health Institute, purpose, objectives.","body":"3. a. The Commissioner of Health shall designate a nonprofit entity to serve as the Public Health Institute pursuant to criteria established by the commissioner in accordance with this act.\nb.\tThe purpose and objective of the Public Health Institute shall be to:\n(1)\tcoordinate among national, State, and local agencies  including, but not limited to, local and county health departments, Regional Health Hubs designated pursuant to P.L. 2019, c.517 (C.30:4D-8.16 et seq.), licensed health care facilities, public health-related advocacy and membership organizations, and private organizations for the purposes of promoting equitable public health services in New Jersey;\n(2)\tprovide timely and nimble administrative, operational, and fiscal support to public and private health agencies, community-based organizations, and other strategic partners;\n(3)\tdevelop and implement projects, programs, initiatives, or services designed to improve public health outcomes, address racial disparities in public health, including the underlying systemic root causes of health disparities and inequities, and bridge gaps between public and private sector health care and community services;\n(4)\tpromote, support, and fund programs related to workforce development, education, applied research, policy development, and other initiatives that advance the purposes of the Public Health Institute;\n(5)\tenter into contracts for the purchase of medical countermeasures, supplies or therapeutics, or other products or service agreements as may be necessary to aid the department in advancing or protecting the public health; and\n(6)\tengage in charitable programs dedicated to the purposes and objectives of the Public Health Institute.\nc.\tThe commissioner shall establish criteria that an entity must satisfy to be designated as a Public Health Institute, which criteria shall include, at a minimum, the following:\n(1)\tbe a nonprofit organization located in New Jersey which is exempt from federal taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3));\n(2)\tbe recognized by the National Network of Public Health Institutes or any successor accreditation body for public health institutes;\n(3)\tpossess the capacity to integrate and coordinate public health functions on a local, county, and Statewide level;\n(4)\tmaintain a network of personnel with expertise in the areas of health care data collection and analysis, health care policy, health care information systems, and public health research; and\n(5)\tany other criteria established by the commissioner.\nd.\tAn entity designated as the Public Health Institute pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall enter into an agreement with the department requiring the entity to:\n(1)\tcomply with all applicable laws and regulations necessary to qualify for and maintain its nonprofit status, including, but not limited to, the \"New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation Act,\" N.J.S.15A:1-1 et seq., and section 501(c) of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. s.501(c));\n(2)\tregularly consult with and give due consideration to the input and recommendations of the Department of Health and local health departments in carrying out its duties under this act;\n(3)\tdevelop and submit to the department an operational plan that includes a mission statement that supports, complements, and supplements the missions of the department;\n(4)\tsubmit to the department an initial startup plan of certain issues, projects, and action items the Public Health Institute shall pursue in the first three years of its designation;\n(5)\tsubmit periodic planning documents and progress reports to the department at such intervals as may be determined by the commissioner;\n(6)\tprovide information, assistance, and services as may be required by the department in order to design, plan, implement, or coordinate any projects, programs, initiatives, or services that advance the mutual purposes of the department and the Public Health Institute;\n(7)\treport any data collected or maintained by the Public Health Institute to the department, including data related to public health projects, programs, initiatives, or services, and any other information that may advance the mutual purposes of the department and the Public Health Institute, provided that such data is submitted to the department in a manner consistent with any applicable State and federal law, rule, regulation, or agreement; and\n(8)\tcomply with any other requirements as may be determined by the commissioner.\ne.\tThe commissioner may, as a condition of a nonprofit entity maintaining its designation as the Public Health Institute, require such nonprofit entity to perform such additional tasks or satisfy additional requirements on a continuing basis.\nf.\tThe commissioner may rescind the commissioner's designation of the Public Health Institute in accordance with the terms of agreement entered into pursuant to subsection d. of this section.\nL.2025, c.46, s.3.","path":["TITLE 26 HEALTH AND VITAL STATISTICS"],"source_url":"https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/statutes/STATUTES-TEXT.zip","current_through":"P.L.2025, c.405, and J.R.22","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T17:54:13Z","sha256":"01956adf9544e7ff7f75f2d4a7f8c13967dcc7d00c55614c5038d1bd830f79e2","source_id":"us-nj","stale":true,"prev":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-26-2ff-2","next":"us-nj/n.j.-stat.-26-2ff-4"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}