NJ S2583

Mandates a minimum annual State appropriation of $10 million from the General Fund to the Department of Health for Public Health Priority Funding, beginning July 1 following enactment.

Reinstates New Jersey's only State-appropriated, unrestricted fund for local health departments, which was eliminated in the FY 2011 Appropriations Act.

Funds will be distributed according to the Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977 (P.L.1966, c.36), allowing local health departments flexibility to address local needs and emerging threats.

Prior to elimination in 2010, Public Health Priority Funding represented approximately 15 percent of total funding for local health departments.

Currently, local health departments rely solely on local property taxes and restricted State and federal funding designated for specific purposes like vaccines or environmental health services.