NJ A2162

Mandates a minimum annual 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 funding source for local health departments, which was eliminated in the FY 2011 Appropriations Act.

Public Health Priority Funding previously represented approximately 15% of total funding for local health departments in FY 2010 before its elimination.

Local health departments currently rely solely on local property taxes and restricted state/federal funding designated for specific purposes like vaccines or environmental health services.

Supplements the "Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977" (originally the "State Health Aid Act" from 1966) to restore flexible funding for local public health priorities and emerging threats.