reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:5C-27 - Operation of sterile syringe access program.

26:5C-27 Operation of sterile syringe access program.
3. The Department of Health shall permit the establishment and operation of harm reduction services in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et al.). The department shall prescribe by regulation requirements for the establishment and operation of harm reduction services to provide hypodermic syringes and needles in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et al.).
a. The department shall:
(1) permit a registration form, to be submitted in a manner prescribed by the department, from any entity that seeks to provide harm reduction services in New Jersey, which shall be a prerequisite to so doing;
(2) approve or deny a registration request based upon the requirements established by regulation of the department;
(3) support and facilitate, to the maximum extent practicable, the linkage of harm reduction services to: (a) health care facilities and programs that may provide appropriate health care services, including mental health services, medication-assisted treatment services, and other substance use disorder treatment services to consumers receiving harm reduction services; and (b) housing assistance programs, career and employment-related counseling programs, and education counseling programs that may provide appropriate ancillary support services to consumers receiving harm reduction services;
(4) provide for the adoption of a uniform membership card or other uniform Statewide means of identification for consumers, staff, and volunteers of entities offering authorized harm reduction services pursuant to paragraph (9) of subsection b. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28); and
(5) maintain a record of de-identified statistical aggregate data reported to the department by entities offering authorized harm reduction services pursuant to paragraph (11) of subsection b. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28).
b. The department shall be authorized to accept funding as may be made available from the private sector to effectuate the purposes of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et al.).
L.2006, c.99, s.3; amended 2012, c.17, s.345; 2015, c.10, s.4; 2016, c.36, s.2; 2021, c.396, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:5C-29 - Reports to Governor, Legislature.

26:5C-29 Reports to Governor, Legislature.
5. a. (1) The Commissioner of Health shall report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, 164 (C.52:14-19.1), the Legislature, no later than one year after the effective date of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et al.) and biennially thereafter, on the status of harm reduction services provided by entities authorized to provide those services pursuant to sections 3 and 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-27 and C.26:5C-28), and shall include in that report the data provided to the department by each entity authorized to provide harm reduction services pursuant to paragraph (11) of subsection b. of section 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-28).
(2) For the purpose of each biennial report pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the department shall:
(a) collaborate with local stakeholders, including healthcare providers, healthcare systems, social services providers, and law enforcement, to provide education and collect data on the value of providing harm reduction services in municipalities in which the services are provided; and
(b) determine the type of data to be reported and shared, which may include the number of consumers served, the number of syringes distributed, the number of referrals made to social support services and healthcare providers, overall crime statistics, and the incidence and locations of needle stick injuries.
b. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2016, c.36)
c. The department shall prepare a detailed analysis of harm reduction services provided pursuant to P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et al.), and report on the results of that analysis to the Governor, the Governor's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and Related Blood-Borne Pathogens, and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), the Legislature annually. The analysis shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) any increase or decrease in the spread of HIV, hepatitis C and other bloodborne pathogens that may be transmitted by the use of contaminated syringes and needles;
(2) the number of exchanged syringes and needles and an evaluation of the disposal of syringes and needles that are not returned by consumers;
(3) the number of consumers receiving harm reduction services and an assessment of their reasons for accessing those services;
(4) the number of consumers receiving harm reduction services who participated in substance use disorder treatment programs; and
(5) the number of consumers receiving harm reduction services who benefited from counseling and referrals to programs and entities that are relevant to their health, housing, social service, employment and other needs.
d. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2016, c.36)
L.2006, c.99, s.5; amended 2015, c.10, s.6; 2016, c.36, s.3; 2017, c.131, s.105; 2021, c.396, s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:5C-30 - Plan for establishment, funding of regional substance use disorder treatment facilities.

26:5C-30 Plan for establishment, funding of regional substance use disorder treatment facilities.
6. a. The Commissioner of Human Services shall develop a plan for establishing and funding regional substance use disorder treatment facilities. The plan shall include a strategy for soliciting proposals from nonprofit agencies and organizations in the State, including State-licensed health care facilities, with experience in the provision of long-term care or outpatient substance use disorder treatment services to meet the post-acute health, social, and educational needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS.
b. The commissioner shall submit the plan to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), the Legislature no later than the 120th day after the effective date of this act, and shall report biannually thereafter to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), the Legislature on the implementation of the plan.
L.2006, c.99, s.6; amended 2023, c.177, s.88.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:5C-31 - Rules, regulations.

26:5C-31 Rules, regulations.
7. a. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Commissioner of Health, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-25 et al.).
b. Notwithstanding any provision of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to the contrary, the commissioner shall adopt, immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law and no later than the 90th day after the effective date of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:2C-25 et al.), such regulations as the commissioner deems necessary to implement the provisions of sections 3 and 4 of P.L.2006, c.99 (C.26:5C-27 and C.26:5C-28), which shall be effective until the adoption of rules and regulations pursuant to subsection a. of this section and may be amended, adopted or readopted by the commissioner in accordance with the requirements of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).
c. Notwithstanding any provision of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to the contrary, the commissioner may adopt, immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law, such regulations as the commissioner deems necessary to implement the provisions of P.L.2021, c.396 (C.26:5C-26.1 et al.), which shall be effective for a period not to exceed 180 days and thereafter may be amended, adopted or readopted by the commissioner in accordance with the requirements of P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).
L.2006, c.99, s.7; amended 2021, c.396, s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:5D-2 - Findings, declarations

26:5D-2. Findings, declarations
The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, the sudden and unexpected death of apparently healthy babies, commonly known as "SIDS" or "Crib Death," is the major cause of death of infants between the ages of one month and one year and is responsible for the deaths of approximately 7,000 infants in the United States each year.
b. Although the cause of SIDS is not known, there is evidence that it may be caused by an infectious agent, hypoglycemia, a neuroendocrine defect, or poor socioeconomic conditions. SIDS has also been associated with apnea, the temporary stoppage of breathing; however, there are no data firmly linking SIDS to apnea, and preliminary data suggest that the number of infants who have had a history of apneic episodes may account for not more than 5% of SIDS fatalities.
c. Because of the nature of SIDS and the inability to discover the cause of death, parents of victims of SIDS often experience trauma and shock and have a need for counseling and other support services.
d. Research regarding the detection, treatment, cure or prevention of SIDS has not been afforded the attention given to other areas of medicine, and many health care professionals are not familiar with the symptoms, diagnosis or treatment of SIDS; and
e. Therefore, it is imperative that a program be established for identifying and treating infants who are potential victims of SIDS, referring potential SIDS victims and their families to sources of treatment and counseling, referring families whose children have been victims of SIDS to counseling and other support services and providing an educational program to health care professionals to heighten their awareness in detecting potential SIDS victims and in preventing SIDS.
L. 1987,c.331, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:5D-3 - Referral service; hotline

26:5D-3. Referral service; hotline
The Commissioner of the Department of Health shall establish a program to educate the public and health care professionals about SIDS. The program shall include a referral service for the public and health care professionals on SIDS related services and a 24-hour telephone hotline to provide needed information and referrals. The commissioner shall also encourage the development of local support programs to provide early detection, counseling, and referrals for infants who may be at risk of SIDS.
L. 1987,c.331, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:5D-4 - SIDS Resource Center

26:5D-4. SIDS Resource Center
The Commissioner of the Department of Health shall establish a "SIDS Resource Center" within a State medical school. The SIDS Resource Center shall, in coordination with the Department of Health, serve as a technical advisory center and may offer diagnostic procedures, medical treatment and counseling, as well as any other services that may be necessary to assist potential SIDS victims and their families.
L. 1987,c.331, s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-1 - Definitions.

26:6-1 Definitions.
26:6-1. As used in this chapter: "Local registrar" or "registrar" means the local registrar of vital statistics. "State registrar" means the State Registrar of Vital Statistics.
"Registration district" or "district" means the district established by law for the registration of vital events.
"Fetal death" or "stillbirth" means death prior to the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy; the death is indicated by the fact that after such separation, the fetus does not breathe or show any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles.
"Dead body" means the dead body of a human being.
The definition of the term "communicable disease" as contained in R.S.26:4-1 shall also apply to this chapter.
"Authentication" means the entry by the Chief State Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief State Medical Examiner, or a county or intercounty medical examiner or assistant county or intercounty medical examiner, funeral director or physician into the New Jersey Electronic Death Registration System of a personal identification code, digital signature or other identifier unique to that user, by which the information entered into the system by the user is authenticated by the user who assumes responsibility for its accuracy. "Authentication" also means the process by which the State registrar or a local registrar, deputy registrar, alternate deputy registrar or subregistrar indicates that person's review and approval of information entered into the system by the Chief State Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief State Medical Examiner, or a county or intercounty medical examiner or assistant county or intercounty medical examiner, funeral director or physician.
"Electronic registration system" means any electronic method, including, but not limited to, one based on Internet technology, of collecting, transmitting, recording and authenticating information from one or more responsible parties, which is necessary to complete a vital record, and is designed to replace a manual, paper-based data collection, recordation and signature system.
"New Jersey Electronic Death Registration System" or "NJ-EDRS" is an electronic registration system for completing a certification of death or fetal death record that is authorized, designed and maintained by the State registrar.
amended 1965, c.78, s.1; 2003, 221, s.1; 2018, c.62, s.23.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-3 - Prohibition of public funerals; penalty

26:6-3. Prohibition of public funerals; penalty
The local board may specify any communicable disease or diseases in case of death from which no public funeral shall be had, and prohibit such public funeral under a penalty to be imposed, not to exceed fifty dollars, and in case of the threatening or prevalence of an epidemic, may prohibit such public funeral of persons dying with the particular disease or diseases then prevalent. The board may also prohibit such public funeral in any case in which the attending physician shall by writing so advise, or in any case in which two reputable physicians in the same district or municipality certify that they believe that the interests of the public health require such restriction.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-4 - Computation of death rate.

26:6-4 Computation of death rate.
26:6-4. In computing the death rate of any municipality or health district in which there is located a hospital or other institution, any death which shall take place at such hospital or institution shall not be included among deaths occurring in said municipality or health district unless the death is of a person whose last place of residence was in said municipality or health district.
Any death occurring at any such hospital or institution, of any person whose last place of residence as shown on the death certificate was outside of the limits of said municipality or health district, shall, for the purpose of computing the death rate, be included among the deaths occurring in the municipality or health district named in the certificate as the last place of residence of the decedent.
Except where a death record is created on the NJ-EDRS, it shall be the duty of the registrar of the district in which such a death occurred promptly to notify the registrar of the district which was the last place of residence of the decedent.
Amended 1965, c.78, s.2; 2003, c.221, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-4.1 - Certificate of death

26:6-4.1. Certificate of death
1. On or before the tenth day of each month, the State Department of Health shall certify to the supervisor of veterans' interment in each of the respective counties of the State, the name of each deceased veteran and of each deceased member of the American Merchant Marine who served during World War II and is declared by the United States Department of Defense to be eligible for federal veterans' benefits for whom a certificate of death, in which the place of burial, cremation or removal is stated as being within such county, has been filed with the State Department of Health during the preceding month, together with the date and place of burial, cremation or removal of such deceased veteran, and the war in which said deceased veteran served.
L.1945,c.202,s.1; amended 1946,c.232,s.1; 1991,c.389,s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-4.2 - Undertaker to make inquiry, report, penalty for failure to report

26:6-4.2. Undertaker to make inquiry, report, penalty for failure to report
2. Whenever a dead body is transported from outside the State into this State for burial or other final disposition in this State, the person in charge of any premises in which the interment or cremation of such dead body is made, shall make due and diligent inquiry in order to determine whether the deceased person to be interred or cremated was a veteran of any war or was a member of the American Merchant Marine who served during World War II and has been declared by the United States Department of Defense to be eligible for federal veterans' benefits, and if so, the war in which said deceased veteran served. If such interment is made in a cemetery or burial ground having no person in charge thereof, then the undertaker making the interment of such dead body shall make such inquiry.
On or before the tenth day of each month the person in charge of any such premises, or if the interment is made in a cemetery or burial ground having no person in charge, then the undertaker who made any such interment, shall certify to the supervisor of veterans' interment in the county in which such interment or cremation was made, the name of each deceased veteran who has been interred or cremated in said premises during the preceding month, together with the date and place of burial or cremation of such deceased veteran, and the war in which said deceased veteran served.
Any failure so to do on the part of the officers of any cemetery association or the undertaker shall subject the violator to a penalty of fifty dollars ($50.00) to be recovered in a civil action in the name of the supervisor of veterans' interment of any county wherein the violation occurs.
L.1945,c.202,s.2; amended 1946,c.232,s.2; 1953,c.26,s.49; 1991,c.316; 1991,c.389,s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-5 - Cemeteries dangerous to public health; action for relief; costs

26:6-5. Cemeteries dangerous to public health; action for relief; costs
When a cemetery or burial ground or part thereof for any reason has become dangerous to the public health and it shall be deemed inadvisable that any further interments be made therein, any municipal authority within whose limits the cemetery or burial ground is situate, or the State department or any local board, may institute an action in the Superior Court, either in the name of the State on the relation of the plaintiff or otherwise.
If the court shall determine that the cemetery or burial ground or any part thereof is dangerous to the public health for any reason, or that further interments therein would be inadvisable, the court may, by injunction or otherwise, grant such relief as may be proper and necessary for the protection of the public health.
If the court shall determine that the plaintiff is not entitled to any relief, costs shall be awarded against the plaintiff, but only if it appears to the court that no probable cause existed for bringing the action.
Amended by L.1953, c. 26, p. 478, s. 50.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-5.1 - Necessity of death certificate and burial or removal permit

26:6-5.1. Necessity of death certificate and burial or removal permit
No person, without securing a proper death certificate and a burial or removal permit, shall:
a. Remove a dead body from this State; or
b. Bury or make other final disposition of such body in this State.
Amended by L.1965, c. 78, s. 3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-5.2 - Recording of deaths

26:6-5.2. Recording of deaths
The State Registrar of Vital Statistics shall, upon proper proof received from an appropriate agency of the National Military Establishment, or from the United States Department of Commerce, record the death of any person who died while in the military or naval or maritime or merchant marine service of the United States, and who at the time of entering said service was a resident of the State of New Jersey.
Proper proof as required by this section shall be the official letter from an appropriate agency of the National Military Establishment or the United States Department of Commerce, to the next of kin of such deceased person.
L.1950, c. 299, p. 1011, s. 1. Amended by L.1954, c. 130, p. 606, s. 2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-5.3 - Certifying deaths

26:6-5.3. Certifying deaths
The State Registrar shall, upon request, certify such deaths in the same manner as in the case of deaths occurring and recorded in New Jersey.
L.1950, c. 299, p. 1011, s. 2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-5.4 - Fees

26:6-5.4. Fees
No fees shall be charged or collected for the recording of such deaths as provided in section one, nor shall any fee be required or paid under section two when certification is made at the request of any of the next of kin or the legal representatives of such deceased person.
L.1950, c. 299, p. 1011, s. 3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-6 - Execution of death certificate.

26:6-6 Execution of death certificate.
26:6-6. a. The funeral director in charge of the funeral or disposition of the body of any person dying in this State shall be responsible for the proper execution of a death certificate in a legible manner, or by means of the NJ-EDRS, and filed in exchange for a burial or removal or transit permit with the local registrar of the district in which the death occurred or the body was found or with the registrar of the district in which the funeral director has his funeral home or where the burial or other disposition is to take place. In the event the death certificate is filed with the registrar of a district other than that in which the death took place or the body was found, that registrar shall, within 24 hours after issuing the permit, sign and forward the certificate of death to the registrar of the district where the death took place or the body was found, with a statement that the permit was issued. In case the death certificate is filed with the deputy registrar, alternate deputy registrar or subregistrar, he shall within 12 hours forward the certificate to his own registrar, who in turn shall forward the certificate as heretofore directed. A record created on the NJ-EDRS shall be deemed to have been transmitted to the other local registrar, or by the deputy registrar, alternate deputy registrar or subregistrar, as applicable, in accordance with the requirements of this subsection.
b. Any funeral director filing a death certificate in a registration district other than that in which the death occurred or the body was found shall immediately send the State registrar written notice by first class mail, except that a record created on the NJ-EDRS shall be deemed to have been transmitted to the State registrar in accordance with the requirements of this subsection. The notice shall contain the name of the deceased, the place and date of death, the date the certificate was filed, the name and address of the registrar with whom the certificate was filed, and the name and address of the funeral director. Failure of the State registrar to receive the notice shall be considered as failure of the funeral director to have sent it. In that case, the funeral director shall be subject to a penalty of $25, and the State registrar shall notify the State Board of Mortuary Science of the facts in the matter.
Amended 1965, c.78, s.4; 1977, c.147; 2003, c.221, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-8 - Duty to furnish particulars; verification.

26:6-8 Duty to furnish particulars; verification.
26:6-8. In the execution of a death certificate, the personal particulars shall be obtained by the funeral director from the person best qualified to supply them. The death and last sickness particulars shall be supplied by the attending, covering, or resident physician; or if there is no attending, covering, or resident physician, by an attending registered professional nurse licensed by the New Jersey Board of Nursing under P.L.1947, c.262 (C.45:11-23 et seq.); or if there is no attending, covering, or resident physician or attending registered professional nurse, by the county or intercounty medical examiner or assistant county or intercounty medical examiner.
Within a reasonable time, not to exceed 24 hours after the pronouncement of death, the attending, covering, or resident physician, the attending advanced practice nurse pursuant to section 10 of P.L.1991, c.377 (C.45:11-49), or the county or intercounty medical examiner or the assistant county or intercounty medical examiner shall execute the death certification. The burial particulars shall be supplied by the funeral director. The attending, covering, or resident physician, the attending advanced practice nurse, the attending registered professional nurse, or the county or intercounty medical examiner or the assistant county or intercounty medical examiner and the funeral director shall certify to the particulars supplied by them by signing their names below the list of items furnished, or by otherwise authenticating their identities and the information that they have provided through the NJ-EDRS. If a person acting under the direct supervision of the Chief State Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief State Medical Examiner, a county or intercounty medical examiner or the assistant county or intercounty medical examiner, funeral director, attending, covering, or resident physician, attending advanced practice nurse, or licensed health care facility or other public or private institution providing medical care, treatment, or confinement to persons, which is registered with the NJ-EDRS, is not authorized to authenticate the information required on a certificate of death or fetal death, that person may enter that information into the NJ-EDRS in anticipation of its authentication by the Chief State Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief State Medical Examiner, or a county or intercounty medical examiner or the assistant county or intercounty medical examiner, funeral director, attending, covering, or resident physician, attending advanced practice nurse, local registrar, deputy registrar, alternate deputy registrar or subregistrar, as applicable.
amended 1965, c.78, s.6; 1971, c.2, s.13; 1983, c.308, s.2; 2003, c.221, s.5; 2015, c.38, s.1; 2018, c.62, s.25.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-8.1 - Determination, pronouncement of death.

26:6-8.1 Determination, pronouncement of death.
4. a. Where there has been an apparent death that is not governed by the provisions of section 4 of P.L.1991, c.90 (C.26:6A-4), a registered professional nurse licensed by the New Jersey Board of Nursing under P.L.1947, c.262 (C.45:11-23 et seq.) or a physician assistant licensed pursuant to P.L.1991, c.378 (C.45:9-27.10 et seq.) may make the actual determination and pronouncement of death and shall attest to this pronouncement by: signing in the space designated for this signature on the certificate of death under R.S.26:6-7; or, for the purposes of the NJ-EDRS, transmitting orally or in writing a report of the pronouncement to the attending, covering, or resident physician, or the county medical examiner.
b. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2006, c.86).
L.1983, c.308, s.4; amended 2003, c.221, s.6; 2006, c.86; 2015, c.224, s.13.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-8.2 - Notification.

26:6-8.2 Notification.
1. If the attending physician, registered professional nurse, physician assistant, or the Chief State Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief State Medical Examiner, or county or intercounty medical examiner or assistant county or intercounty medical examiner who makes the actual determination and pronouncement of death determines or has knowledge that the deceased person was HIV positive or infected with hepatitis B virus or that the deceased person suffered from AIDS, or any of the contagious, infectious, or communicable diseases as shall be determined by the Commissioner of Health, the attending physician, registered professional nurse, physician assistant, or the Chief State Medical Examiner, Deputy Chief State Medical Examiner, or county or intercounty medical examiner or assistant county or intercounty medical examiner shall immediately place with the remains written notification of the condition and shall provide written notification of the condition to the funeral director who is responsible for the handling and the disposition of the body.
L.1988, c.125, s.1; amended 2015, c.224, s.14; 2018, c.62, s.26.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-8.3 - List of contagious, infectious, communicable diseases

26:6-8.3. List of contagious, infectious, communicable diseases
Within 180 days of the effective date of this act, the Commissioner of the Department of Health shall provide to all county and local health departments, hospitals and long-term care facilities in this State for distribution to appropriate personnel a list of all diseases that the commissioner determines are contagious, infectious or communicable diseases for the purposes of this act. The commissioner shall periodically update the list, as appropriate.
L. 1988, c. 125, s. 2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-8.4 - Penalty for violation

26:6-8.4. Penalty for violation
a. A person who violates the provisions of this act is subject to a penalty of up to $1,000.00 for each offense. These penalties shall be recovered in a civil action in the name of the Department of Health in a court of competent jurisdiction. The action may be brought in a summary manner pursuant to "the penalty enforcement law," N.J.S. 2A:58-1 et seq.
b. Any person who in good faith complies with the provisions of this act shall be free from any civil or criminal liability for so acting, provided the skill and care exercised are that ordinarily required and exercised by others in the profession.
L. 1988, c. 125, s. 3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-8.5 - Alzheimer's disease, related disorders, listing as secondary cause of death.

26:6-8.5 Alzheimer's disease, related disorders, listing as secondary cause of death.
1. a. Alzheimer's disease and related disorders may be listed as a secondary cause of death on a certification of death in any case in which:
(1) the deceased person is diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder; and
(2) it is determined, in accordance with currently accepted medical standards and with a reasonable degree of medical certainty, that Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder was a significant contributing cause of the person's death.
b. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any person to list Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder as a secondary cause of death, and no person shall be subject to any criminal or civil liability or any professional disciplinary action under Title 45 of the Revised Statutes for listing or failing to list Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder as a secondary cause of death on a certification of death.
c. As used in this section, "Alzheimer's disease and related disorders" means forms of dementia characterized by a general loss of intellectual abilities of sufficient severity to interfere with social or occupational functioning.
L.2015, c.187, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-8.6 - Professionals certifying death to provide testing, related actions necessary for survivors to claim certain benefits.

26:6-8.6 Professionals certifying death to provide testing, related actions necessary for survivors to claim certain benefits.
1. The attending, covering, or resident physician, the attending advanced practice nurse, or the county medical examiner who provides the death and last sickness particulars for a death certification shall provide or offer to provide any examination, screening, test, report, or certification as shall be necessary for a survivor of the deceased person to prosecute a claim for State or federal benefits arising from the deceased person's death. The examination, screening, test, report, or certification shall be provided upon request by a survivor.
L.2017, c.300, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-9 - Death occurring without medical attendance.

26:6-9 Death occurring without medical attendance.
26:6-9. In case of any death occurring without medical attendance, the funeral director shall notify the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner or the office of the county or intercounty medical examiner, or the local registrar. In case the local registrar shall be notified, he shall immediately inform the county or intercounty medical examiner and refer the case to him for investigation. The county or intercounty medical examiner or assistant county or intercounty medical examiner shall furnish the funeral director with the necessary data and last sickness particulars to make the death certificate, or shall enter the information directly into the NJ-EDRS.
amended 1965, c.78, s.7; 1971, c.2, s.14; 2003, c.221, s.7; 2018, c.62, s.27.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-10 - Unavailability of attending physician, advanced practice nurse.

26:6-10 Unavailability of attending physician, advanced practice nurse.
26:6-10. In case the physician or the advanced practice nurse who last attended the deceased is unavailable, so that a certificate of death cannot be obtained from the physician or nurse in time for burial or removal:
a. the designated covering physician shall have the primary responsibility, after examining the dead body, and being satisfied that death did not result from some unlawful means, to issue a death certificate; and
b. in the absence of the designated covering physician, any other physician, after examining the dead body, and being satisfied that death did not result from some unlawful means, may issue a death certificate.
amended 2003, c.221, s.8; 2015, c.38, s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-11 - Certificate of fetal death.

26:6-11 Certificate of fetal death.
26:6-11. A certificate of fetal death containing such items as shall be listed on fetal death certificate forms provided or approved by the department under the authority of subsection c. of R.S.26:8-24, and a burial or removal permit, shall be required for every fetal death; provided that 20 or more weeks of gestation have elapsed before the delivery.
No midwife shall sign a certificate for a fetal death; but any fetal death occurring without attendance of a physician or an advanced practice nurse shall be treated as a death without medical attendance, as provided in R.S.26:6-9.
The department shall take appropriate action to ensure that any certificate of fetal death required by this section is prepared in accordance with, and contains information that satisfies, the provisions of P.L.2013, c.217 (C.26:8-40.27 et seq.), designated as the "Autumn Joy Stillbirth Research and Dignity Act," and the current federal standards for fetal death certification and fetal death reporting, as adopted, amended, and supplemented by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
amended 1951, c.85, s.1; 1965, c.78, s.8; 2017, c.104, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-14 - Issuance of burial, removal permit; correction of death certificate; completion.

26:6-14 Issuance of burial, removal permit; correction of death certificate; completion.
26:6-14. Upon receipt of a death certificate, the local registrar shall:
a. If the certificate is properly executed and complete, issue a burial or removal permit when requested; and
b. If the certificate of death is incomplete and unsatisfactory, call attention to the defects in the return, and withhold the burial or removal permit until the defects are corrected. Any person certifying to any of the particulars in the certificate shall complete the same as directed by the local registrar in accordance with such terms as may be defined by the State registrar.
For the purposes of the NJ-EDRS, the death certificate shall be complete when the attending, covering or resident physician or the county medical examiner, and the funeral director in charge, have completed their respective portions of the death registration record.
Amended 1965, c.78, s.10; 2003, c.221, s.9.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-16 - Contents of burial, removal permit.

26:6-16 Contents of burial, removal permit.
26:6-16. The burial or removal permit shall be issued upon a form or through the NJ-EDRS as prescribed by the department, signed or authenticated through the NJ-EDRS by the local registrar, and shall state:
a. The name, age, sex, cause of death, and other necessary details required by the department;
b. That a satisfactory certificate of death has been filed as required by law; and
c. That permission is granted to inter, remove, or otherwise dispose of the body.
Amended 2003, c.221, s.10.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-17 - Fee for burial, removal or transit permit.

26:6-17 Fee for burial, removal or transit permit.
26:6-17. The State registrar shall be entitled to receive a fee of $5 for each burial or removal, or transit permit issued; except that, on or after the effective date of P.L.2007, c.98 but before the first day of the thirty-seventh month following the effective date of P.L.2007, c.98, the State registrar shall be entitled to receive a fee of $15. The State registrar shall deposit the proceeds from the fees into the New Jersey Electronic Death Registration Support Fund established pursuant to section 17 of P.L.2003, c.221 (C.26:8-24.2), and shall provide such amount from the fee, as the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services determines appropriate, to the local registrar who issued the permit.
Amended 1954, c.93; 1965, c.78, s.11; 2003, c.221, s.11; 2007, c.98.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-20 - Burial in district other than place of death

26:6-20. Burial in district other than place of death
No burial permit shall be required from the local registrar of the district in which a burial is to be made, when a body is removed upon a proper removal permit from one district to another district in this state, for purpose of final disposition.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-21 - Emergency burial or removal permit

26:6-21. Emergency burial or removal permit
26:6-21. If through the absence of the local registrar, or for other sufficient reason, it is impossible to obtain from the registrar a burial or removal permit in time for burial or removal, a judge of the Superior Court or of a municipal court in the county in which the death occurred, if he is satisfied that the death certificate is genuine, and that no permit can be obtained in time for burial or removal, shall issue an emergency burial or removal permit.
Amended 1953,c.26,s.51; 1991,c.91,s.296.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-22 - Form of emergency permit

26:6-22. Form of emergency permit
26:6-22. The emergency burial or removal permit shall be issued in the following form:
"It being impossible to obtain a burial or removal permit from the registrar of vital statistics on account of (state here the reason), I, a judge of the Superior Court (or a judge of a municipal court of the .................. of ............. ), do hereby grant this emergency permit for the burial or removal of ....................... , whose death has been duly certified to me."
The permit shall be dated and signed by the judge and shall be given to the person delivering the certificate of death. The judge shall, within five days thereafter, transmit the certificate to the State registrar. The judge shall be entitled to $1.00 for the issuance of an emergency permit.
Amended 1953,c.26,s.52; 1965,c.78,s.14; 1991,c.91,s.297.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-23 - Transportation of certain bodies in sealed casket; license

26:6-23. Transportation of certain bodies in sealed casket; license
No person shall convey or aid in conveying to a common carrier to be transported across or within this state, nor shall a common carrier accept for transportation or transport across or within this state, the dead body of a person who has died of smallpox, Asiatic cholera, yellow fever, typhus fever or bubonic plague, unless the body is inclosed in a hermetically sealed casket and a license for such transportation has been first obtained in writing from the state department.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-24 - Rules for transportation of body

26:6-24. Rules for transportation of body
The State Department may make any rule prescribing the manner in which a dead body, intended to be transported by any common carrier across or within this State, shall be disinfected, embalmed, or incased. Any such rule shall be referred to in the blank form of the transit permit required for the transportation of a dead body.
Amended by L.1951, c. 82, p. 474, s. 1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-26 - Contents of transit permit

26:6-26. Contents of transit permit
The transit permit shall be issued upon a form prescribed by the State Department, signed by the local registrar, and shall set forth:
a. That the body has been prepared for transportation in every particular as required by law and the rules of the State Department;
b. The places from which and to which the body will be transported; and
c. The name of the person, if any, authorized to accompany the body in its transit.
Amended by L.1951, c. 82, p. 474, s. 2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-27 - Disposition of transit permit

26:6-27. Disposition of transit permit
The funeral director shall attach such portion of the transit permit as is directed thereon to the box containing the corpse when shipped by any transportation company. The remaining portion of the transit permit shall be delivered to the passenger in charge of the corpse. This portion of the transit permit shall be delivered to the person in charge of the place of burial or other disposition.
Amended by L.1965, c. 78, s. 15.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-28 - Burial or removal permit for imported bodies

26:6-28. Burial or removal permit for imported bodies
When a dead body is transported from outside this state into the state for burial or other final disposition, the transit or removal permit, issued in accordance with the law and health regulations of the place where the death occurred, shall be given the same force and effect as a local burial or removal permit.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-29 - Acceptance for shipment

26:6-29. Acceptance for shipment
If no such permit shall be brought with the body, or if the body be shipped by express and no permit is attached to the box in which the body is incased, then any common carrier may refuse to transport or to receive for transportation any such body until the permit has been obtained.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-31 - Delivery of burial or removal papers

26:6-31. Delivery of burial or removal papers
The funeral director shall deliver the burial or removal permit or the detachable portion of the transit permit, if any, to the person in charge or the place of burial or of final disposition before interring or otherwise disposing of the body.
Amended by L.1965, c. 78, s. 17.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-32 - Require compliance with laws

26:6-32. Require compliance with laws
The person in charge of any premises on which an interment is to be made shall see that the requirements of this chapter relative to a burial or removal permit, or transit permit shall have been complied with before any burial or other disposal is made thereon.
Amended by L.1965, c. 78, s. 18.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-33 - Indorsement and return of burial or removal papers

26:6-33. Indorsement and return of burial or removal papers
The person in charge of any premises on which an interment is made shall indorse, over his signature upon the burial or removal permit, or transit permit, the date of interment and shall return the permit so indorsed or the detachable portion of the transit permit, if any, to the local registrar of his district within 10 days from the date of interment, or within the time fixed by the local board.
Amended by L.1965, c. 78, s. 19.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-34 - Record of burial

26:6-34. Record of burial
The person in charge of any premises on which an interment is made shall keep a permanent record of any burial or other disposal made on such premises, which record shall at all times be open to official inspection. This record shall in each case state the name of the deceased person, place of death, date of burial or other disposal, and the name and address of the funeral director.
Amended by L.1965, c. 78, s. 20.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-35 - Procedure when no person in charge of cemetery

26:6-35. Procedure when no person in charge of cemetery
The funeral director when burying a body in a cemetery or burial ground having no person in charge shall sign the burial or removal permit, or transit permit, giving the date of burial, and shall write across the face of the permit or transit permit the words, "No person in charge," and file the permit or transit permit within 10 days with the registrar of the district in which the place of burial is located.
Amended by L.1965, c. 78, s. 21.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 26 - Health and Vital Statistics › Section 26:6-36 - Depth of burials; bodies in private vaults

26:6-36. Depth of burials; bodies in private vaults
Every dead body interred in any burial ground or cemetery in this state shall be buried so that the top of the outside coffin or box shall be at least four feet below the natural surface of the ground, and shall be immediately covered with at least four feet of earth, soil or sand.
Bodies of infants in coffins or boxes not more than four feet in length shall be buried so that the top of the outside coffin or box shall be at least three feet and six inches below the natural surface of the ground, and shall be immediately covered with at least three feet and six inches of earth, soil or sand.
This section shall not apply where bodies are placed or buried in properly constructed private vaults so as to prevent the escape of noxious or unhealthy gases therefrom.