SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 749

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 27, 2020

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 749.

      This bill establishes the “New Jersey Ovarian Cancer Research Fund” and provides for a designation on the State gross income tax return that will permit taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to the fund to support ovarian cancer research projects. 

      Among women in the United States, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths.  According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 680 new cases of ovarian cancer and 390 ovarian cancer related deaths are projected for New Jersey in 2020. The monies deposited into the “New Jersey Ovarian Cancer Research Fund” will provide additional resources in the fight against ovarian cancer as research leads to advances in diagnostics, treatments, and cures.

      Taxpayer contributions will be provided to the “New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research,” which promotes significant and original research in New Jersey into the causes, prevention, treatment, and palliation of cancer and serves as a resource to providers and consumers of cancer services.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.