Legislation and laws are a critical component of public health and that is just as true in New
Jersey. However, Public Health laws are not always found coming from the legislature’s health
committees (Senate and Assembly). The goal of this assignment is to provide you exposure to
how public health impacts legislation and how legislation may impact local health practices.
Assignment:
1. Search for legislation related to health in New Jersey. You should definitely view State level
regulations at https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ as one source. Be aware, though, if you only look
up health, you may not find as big of a variety.
a. Example: A503, Concerns baked goods sold at farm markets but it is being discussed in
the Assembly Agricultural Committee and in the Senate the bill is coming from Economic
Growth Committee NOT Health Committee for either house.
2. You can also look up local ordinances/regulations (maybe in your hometown) as well as
National Legislation but use it within the lens of how it will impact local health (obviously
local ordinances are very specific to a town but sometimes ordinances are passed without
really focusing on the big picture impact to local health).
3. Write a 2 – 3 page report discussing:
a. Select at least two different laws/ordinances to discuss.
b. Include: the number of the bill/ordinance; its companion bill (if a state or federal
law) as well as the committee and sponsors of the bill (if it has bipartisan support,
that would be a good point to add as well); and what the legislation proposes to do
(why and how).
c. Research other laws/ordinances related to this proposed legislation or impact this
law may have on local health. You may use news articles (from reputable news
outlets) or other published works (may be impact statements, policy papers, etc. and
doesn’t specifically have to come from New Jersey) to review benefits/pitfalls that
other entities (state, federal, local) have experienced.
i. In relation to the example listed in #1 above: What provisions are there for
inspecting these baked goods? How is the bill ensuring the ability to follow
up if there is a foodborne outbreak? If the bill is requiring local health to
conduct inspections, how will that impact workload of local health
department staff members? How has implementation of this bill benefitted
the public (has this improved the economy of disparate groups by allowing
them to sell their home baked items)?
ii. You must be able to cite your resources.
d. Your paper should include your thoughts (as a public health student/professional) as
to the potential benefits/pitfalls associated with this bill. You should be able to
support these statements with your research on the bill as noted in 3c above.
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