SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 165

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  JANUARY 6, 2022

 

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 165.

      As amended, this concurrent resolution expresses the approval of the Legislature for a 45-day extension of certain administrative orders, directives, and waivers issued in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

      Under current law (P.L.2021, c.103), the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ended on July 4, 2021, except that certain administrative orders, directives, and waivers issued in response to the public health emergency were extended until January 11, 2022.  However, P.L.2021, c.103, as amended, also provides that following the termination of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the Governor must notify the Legislature by January 1, 2022 if the Governor determines that it is necessary or appropriate to continue for an additional 45 days beyond January 11, 2022 any administrative order, directive, or waiver issued by the head of a State agency that relied on the existence of the public health emergency.  Following the notification, the administrative orders, directives, or waivers would be extended for an additional 45 days if each House of the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution to continue the administrative order, directive, or waiver.

      Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in this State, the Legislature concurs with the Governor’s recommendation that certain administrative orders, directives, and waivers issued in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency be extended and remain in full force and effect until February 25, 2022

 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the resolution to change the extension of certain administrative orders, directives, and waivers issued in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency from 90 days to 45 days.