NJ A159

Creates the "New Jersey COVID-19 Response Task Force" consisting of 8 members appointed by legislative leaders (2 each from Senate President, Senate Minority Leader, Assembly Speaker, and Assembly Minority Leader)

Requires the task force to hold at least 3 public hearings in different parts of the state and complete its organizational meeting within 45 days of the bill's effective date

Directs the task force to study impacts of COVID-19 response measures on nursing homes, children's education and mental health, crime rates, suicide rates, poverty rates, and businesses

Mandates comparison of New Jersey's COVID-19 cases and deaths with states that implemented less restrictive, comparable, and more restrictive response measures

Task force must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months of its initial meeting, after which the task force expires