Legislation authorizing New Jersey’s Department of Health (NJDOH) to establish partnerships in international public health was signed into law on Wednesday. Bill A4075 was sponsored by Assembly members Sterley Stanley, Carol Murphy, and Margie Donlon.
The legislation authorizes the NJDOH to take steps to seek participation in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, the WHO’s international collaboration of public health agencies, laboratories, academic institutions, and response organizations that work together to detect, verify, and respond to disease outbreaks and public health emergencies. Participation in the network will strengthen the State’s ability to monitor outbreaks, share information, improve workforce training, and coordinate preparedness efforts with public health partners around the world.
Below are statements from the bill sponsors:
“As elected officials, our primary responsibility is to keep our residents safe. This is especially true when it comes to public health. When the federal government decided to pull us out of international health partnerships, they abdicated that responsibility by putting more Americans at risk of infectious diseases and other health crises,” said Assemblyman Stanley (D-Middlesex), Chair of the Health Infrastructure Committee. “New Jersey serves as a major hub for international travel, commerce, and transportation, making rapid access to public health information and coordinated response efforts critical to protecting residents from emerging health threats. By giving NJDOH the authority to pursue partnerships that can improve outbreak preparedness and strengthen information-sharing, we are delivering on our responsibility to keep our residents safe regardless of whether or not the federal government intends to do the same.”
“The lessons of recent years have made one thing clear: public health preparedness depends on communication, coordination, and access to timely information,” said Assemblywoman Murphy (D-Burlington), Chair of the Assembly Health Committee. “When health threats emerge anywhere in the world, the effects can be felt here at home. Authorizing the Department of Health to pursue these partnerships helps ensure New Jersey remains informed, connected, and prepared to respond to future challenges.”
“As a physician, I know that early detection and rapid response are among the most effective tools we have to prevent the spread of disease and protect public health,” said Assemblywoman Donlon (D-Monmouth). “New Jersey must be prepared to respond quickly and effectively when new diseases emerge, or public health emergencies arise. This legislation would ensure we can continue pursuing opportunities to learn from public health experts, share information, and strengthen our preparedness for future emergencies.”
This legislation is a response to President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14155, which formally withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) back in January 2025. The United States is no longer a member of WHO since January 2026.