NJ A488

Establishes an independent 13-member Overdose Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board within the Department of Human Services to review drug overdose deaths and near-deaths in New Jersey

Board membership includes the Commissioners of Health and Human Services, Attorney General, State Police Superintendent, State Medical Examiner, and seven Governor-appointed public members representing prosecutors, addiction organizations, physicians, and counselors

Authorizes the board to create local or regional teams to investigate overdose cases, with mandatory participation from law enforcement, prosecutors, medical examiners, forensic pathologists, and addiction treatment specialists

Grants the board subpoena power to obtain school, medical, hospital, mental health, and substance abuse treatment records for review, while maintaining confidentiality of case files and protecting them from discovery

Requires annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature with recommendations for improving state and local coordination and services to prevent substance use disorders and overdose fatalities