NJ A2980

Health care professionals who screen for, diagnose, or provide therapeutic services to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or motor neuron disease must confidentially report all known cases to the New Jersey State Health Assessment Data System within six months of diagnosis

Motor neuron diseases covered include ALS, progressive bulbar palsy, primary lateral sclerosis, progressive muscular atrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, Kennedy's disease, and post-polio syndrome

All reported information must protect against disclosure of confidential or personal identifying information of patients and health care professionals

The Department of Health may share collected data with the CDC, local health officers, and researchers studying ALS or motor neuron disease for public health and research purposes

The Commissioner of Health must develop educational materials about the data system and how to access ALS and motor neuron disease statistics within 12 months of the act's effective date