ASSEMBLY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4411

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 8, 2020

      The Assembly Higher Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4411 with committee amendments.

     As amended, this bill requires the State to purchase, in bulk, personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 testing kits.  The testing kits would include antibody testing kits and nasal swab testing kits, among other things.  The State would not be limited to awarding contracts to one bidder.  If it is deemed advantageous, the State may purchase from more than one bidder to fill the necessary demand for PPE and COVID-19 testing kits. Public and independent institutions of higher education throughout the State would then be allowed to purchase the PPE and testing kits from the State.  Under the bill, the Commissioner of Health would be required to coordinate the purchase of PPE and testing kits by the institutions of higher education.  

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      In its original form, this bill required the State to purchase, in bulk, COVID-19 testing kits for purchase by institutions of higher education.  The committee amended the bill to additionally require the State to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) in bulk for the institutions to purchase.