NJ A5596

Requires the Department of Health, in collaboration with the State Office of Emergency Management, to establish a statewide essential buffer stock of emergency and chronic disease medications, vaccines, and medical supplies for use during public health emergencies, outbreaks, natural disasters, man-made disasters, or mass casualty events.

Mandates development of guidelines for procurement, management, and distribution of stockpile items, including criteria for prioritizing distribution to rural areas, medically underserved populations, and areas with high infection or hospitalization rates.

Authorizes the department to contract with private entities for procurement, management, and distribution of supplies, including use of a "virtually sequestered buffer stock" managed by vendors to prevent expiration while ensuring emergency availability.

Requires demand planning and stockpile modeling to determine appropriate supply types and quantities, with emphasis on rural and underserved healthcare settings.

Appropriates unspecified sums from the General Fund to implement the stockpile program, with the law taking effect 180 days after enactment.