N.J. Stat. tit. 18A, ch. 61D

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-1 Immunization record

1. Every public and independent institution of higher education in this State shall, as a condition of admission or continued enrollment, require every graduate and undergraduate student who is 30 years of age or less and is enrolled full-time or part-time in a program or course of study leading to an academic degree, to submit to the institution a valid immunization record which documents the administration of all required immunizations against vaccine-preventable disease, or evidence of immunity from these diseases, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Department of Health. The institution shall keep the records on file in such form and manner as prescribed by the department. L.1988,c.158,s.1; amended 1994,c.48,s.81.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-2 Exemption

2. An institution may, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the department, exempt from the requirements of section 1 of P.L.1988, c.158 (C.18A:61D-1) any student who attended an elementary or secondary school located in this State. L.1988,c.158,s.2; amended 1994,c.48,s.82.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-3 Conflict with religious beliefs

A student who submits to the institution of higher education a written statement that immunization conflicts with his religious beliefs shall not be required to submit a list of immunizations to the institution as a condition of admission or continued enrollment. L. 1988, c. 158, s. 3.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-4 Contraindication

4. A student who submits to the institution a written statement that an immunization is medically contraindicated shall submit a valid immunization record of other administered immunizations in accordance with regulations promulgated by the department. L.1988,c.158,s.4; amended 1994,c.48,s.83.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-5 Liability not imposed

The provisions of this act shall not be construed as holding any institution of higher education liable for failure to notify a student of any outbreak of contagious disease, or the threat of any disease outbreak. L. 1988, c. 158, s. 5.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-6 Rules, regulations

6. The Commissioner of Health, shall, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), promulgate rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act. L1988,c.158,s.6; amended 1994,c.48,s.84.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-7 Meningococcal vaccinations, dissemination of information about meningitis to college students.

2. Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, each four-year public or private institution of higher education in this State, in a manner prescribed by regulation of the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services and consistent with the purposes of section 1 of P.L.2000, c.25 (C.26:2X-1), shall: a. provide information about meningitis, as well as the meningococcal vaccination requirement established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2003, c.284 (C.18A:62-15.1), to all prospective students prior to their matriculation, and include with that information notice of the availability and benefits of a meningococcal vaccination; and b. develop procedures for facilitating, receiving and recording student responses to the information provided pursuant to subsection a. of this section, including: compliance with the vaccination requirement established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2003, c.284 (C.18A:62-15.1); and the decision of any student who is exempted from that requirement to receive the vaccination. L.2000,c.25,s.2; amended 2003,c.284,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-8 Findings, declarations relative to hepatitis B vaccinations

1. The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Hepatitis B is a serious viral disease that attacks the liver and can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and even death; after tobacco, hepatitis B is the world's leading known cause of cancer; b. Hepatitis B virus is spread through blood and other body fluids and has been shown in some instances to remain infectious on environmental surfaces for at least a month at room temperature; in some settings, the virus can be up to 100 times more contagious than the virus that causes AIDS; c. Individuals are at greater risk of hepatitis B virus infection who: have multiple sex partners; use injection drugs; have household contact with an individual who has lifelong hepatitis B infection; and travel to areas of the world where hepatitis B is common; d. In 1999, an estimated 80,000 individuals in the United States were infected with the hepatitis B virus, and one out of 20 individuals in the United States will be infected with the virus at some time in their lives; approximately 30% of individuals who are infected show no signs or symptoms and can unknowingly pass the virus to others; e. The highest rate of hepatitis B disease occurs in individuals 20 to 49 years of age; in 1998, 205 hepatitis B cases were reported in New Jersey, with 60% of those occurring in individuals 25 to 44 years of age; f. Hepatitis B vaccine, which has been available since 1982, prevents hepatitis B disease and its serious consequences; the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends routine vaccination of individuals zero to 18 years of age for hepatitis B; g. As of September 2001, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services requires hepatitis B immunization prior to school entry for all children in the State, with a sixth grade catch-up dose for those not already immunized; and h. Since the hepatitis B immunization requirement for school entry in the State was recently adopted and the highest rates of hepatitis B infection in the nation and State are occurring in individuals between 20 and 50 years of age, it is appropriate for the State to require every high school student,and each new student enrolling on a full-time basis in a program leading to an academic degree at an institution of higher education in the State,to be vaccinated for hepatitis B. L.2002,c.58,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-9 Hepatitis B vaccination required for certain students at institutions of higher education

2. a. Beginning with the 2008-09 school year, a new student enrolling in a program leading to an academic degree at a public or private institution of higher education in this State, who registers for 12 or more credit hours of course study per semester or term, shall be vaccinated for hepatitis B within nine months of attendance as a condition of continued attendance at that institution, except as provided in section 4 of this act. b. A student shall present evidence of the vaccination required pursuant to this section to the institution in a manner prescribed by the institution. c. The Department of Health and Senior Services shall require each public or private institution of higher education in this State to offer the vaccination required pursuant to this section to its students through the institution's student health services program or through a contractual agreement with a community health care provider. d. The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) to carry out the purposes of subsections a., b. and c. of this section and sections 3 and 4 of this act. L.2002,c.58,s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-10 Exemption from vaccination.

4. A student shall not be required to receive a vaccination pursuant to section 2 or 3 of this act based upon one of the following: a. a written statement submitted to the secondary school or institution of higher education, as applicable, by a licensed physician indicating that the vaccine is medically contraindicated for a specific period of time and the reasons for the medical contraindication, based upon valid medical reasons as determined by regulation of the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, which shall exempt the student from the vaccination for the stated period of time; or b. a written statement submitted to the secondary school or institution of higher education, as applicable, by the student, or the student's parent or guardian if the student is a minor, explaining how the administration of the vaccine conflicts with the bona fide religious tenets or practices of the student, or the parent or guardian, as appropriate; except that a general philosophical or moral objection to the vaccination shall not be sufficient for an exemption on religious grounds. L.2002,c.58,s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-11 Short title.

1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Higher Education Epinephrine Emergency Treatment Act." L.2013, c.211, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-12 Findings, declarations relative to insect and food allergies.

2. The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Insect and food allergies are the leading cause of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that is easily treatable with epinephrine, a medication only available via prescription; b. Individuals who are known to be at risk of anaphylaxis may carry emergency doses of epinephrine with them at all times. However, many individuals may not be aware of their allergy and therefore do not carry epinephrine medication; c. New Jersey's institutions of higher education enroll students and attract faculty from around the country and around the world. They offer a broad array of educational opportunities for the students and faculty, both on and off campus, including trips and field studies to new environments that may expose them to different kinds of insects and foods for the first time. These are often remote settings where medical professionals or first responders are not available to provide emergency care for anaphylaxis; d. The State of New Jersey in P.L.1997, c.368 (C.18A:40-12.5 et seq.) has already recognized the value of training non-medical professionals to administer this life-saving drug in K-12 educational settings when a medical professional is not physically present at the scene; and e. It would be prudent to provide individuals in higher education settings who are responsible for the safety of one or more individuals with the tools to respond to emergency situations, particularly when placed in settings where exposure to unfamiliar insects or types of food is likely and where assistance from medical professionals and first responders is not readily available. L.2013, c.211, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-13 Definitions relative to administering epinephrine.

3. As used in this act: "Institution of higher education" means a public or independent institution of higher education. "Licensed campus medical professional" means a physician, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse, or registered nurse who is appropriately licensed by the State of New Jersey and is designated by an institution of higher education to oversee the institution's epinephrine administration and training program. "Member of the campus community" means an individual who is a student, faculty, or staff member of an institution of higher education. "Secretary" means the Secretary of Higher Education. "Trained designee" means a member of the campus community trained by a licensed campus medical professional in the emergency administration of epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism. L.2013, c.211, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-14 Development of policy.

4. a. An institution of higher education may develop a policy, in accordance with the guidelines established by the secretary pursuant to section 6 of P.L.2013, c.211 (C.18A:61D-16), for the emergency administration of epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism to a member of the campus community for anaphylaxis when a medical professional is not available. The policy shall: (1) permit a trained designee, under the guidance of a licensed campus medical professional, to administer epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism to a member of the campus community for whom the designee is responsible, when the designee in good faith believes that the member of the campus community is having an anaphylactic reaction; (2) permit a trained designee, when responsible for the safety of one or more members of the campus community, to carry in a secure but easily accessible location a supply of pre-filled epinephrine auto-injectors that is prescribed under a standing protocol from a licensed physician; and (3) provide that the licensed campus medical professional shall have responsibility for : training designees on how to identify an anaphylactic reaction, how to identify the indications for when to use epinephrine, and how to administer epinephrine via a pre-filled auto-injector mechanism; and distributing prescribed pre-filled epinephrine auto-injectors to trained designees. b. Each institution of higher education that develops a policy pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall designate a physician, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse, or registered nurse who is appropriately licensed by the State of New Jersey to serve as the licensed campus medical professional. c. A licensed campus medical professional is authorized to: (1) establish and administer a standardized training protocol for the emergency administration of epinephrine by trained designees; (2) ensure that trained designees have satisfactorily completed the training protocol; (3) obtain a supply of pre-filled epinephrine auto-injectors under a standing protocol from a licensed physician; and (4) control distribution to trained designees of pre-filled epinephrine auto-injectors. L.2013, c.211, s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-15 Requirements for trained designee.

5. To become a trained designee, an individual must meet the following requirements: a. be 18 years of age or older; b. have, or reasonably expect to have, responsibility for at least one other member of the campus community as a result of the individual's occupational or volunteer status; and c. have satisfactorily completed a standardized training protocol established and administered by a licensed campus medical professional in accordance with guidelines developed by the secretary. L.2013, c.211, s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-16 Guidelines for development of policy.

6. The secretary, in consultation with the Department of Health, shall establish guidelines for the development of a policy by an institution of higher education for the emergency administration of epinephrine to a member of the campus community for anaphylaxis when a medical professional is not available. The guidelines shall address issues including, but not limited to, the responsibilities of the institution of higher education, the licensed campus medical professional, and the trained designee for the emergency administration of epinephrine. The secretary shall disseminate the guidelines to the president of each institution of higher education. L.2013, c.211, s.6.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-17 Immunity from liability.

7. No licensed campus medical professional, trained designee, or physician providing a prescription under a standing protocol for epinephrine pursuant to this act, shall be held liable for any good faith act or omission committed in accordance with the provisions of this act. Good faith shall not include willful misconduct, gross negligence, or recklessness. L.2013, c.211, s.7.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-18 Construction of act.

8. Nothing in this act shall be construed to: a. permit a trained designee to perform the duties or fill the position of a licensed medical professional; b. prohibit the administration of a pre-filled epinephrine auto-injector mechanism by a person acting pursuant to a lawful prescription; c. prevent a licensed and qualified member of a health care profession from administering a pre-filled epinephrine auto-injector mechanism if the duties are consistent with the accepted standards of the member's profession; or d. violate the "Athletic Training Licensure Act," P.L.1984, c.203 (C.45:9-37.35 et seq.) in the event that a licensed athletic trainer administers epinephrine to a member of the campus community as a trained designee pursuant to this act. L.2013, c.211, s.8.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-19 Campus-based mental health care programs, services; access; duties of public, independent institutions of higher education.

1. a. Beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year and in each academic year thereafter, each public and independent institution of higher education shall: (1) ensure that all on-campus students have access to campus-based mental health care programs and services; (2) provide assistance and referrals to mental health support services to any student unable to access on-campus services; and (3) provide each newly enrolled student with information concerning the location and availability of those programs and services. b. Beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year, each public and independent institution of higher education shall establish and maintain, on a 24-hour basis, a toll-free telephone hotline for students. The hotline shall receive and respond to calls from students seeking counseling for depression, anxiety, stress, or other psychological or emotional tension, trauma, or disorder. The operators of the hotline shall seek to identify those callers who should be referred to additional counseling services, and to provide such referrals. The number for the hotline shall be posted in each dormitory, library, and student center, and any other facility or area on campus that the institution determines to be appropriate. c. The operators of the hotline shall be, to the greatest extent possible, persons who, by experience or education, are (1) familiar with the emotional and psychological tensions, depressions, and anxieties unique to higher education students; or (2) trained to provide counseling services involving substance use, personal stress management, and other emotional or psychological disorders or conditions which may be likely to adversely affect the well-being of students. d. An institution of higher education may satisfy the hotline requirement established pursuant to subsection b. of this section by providing each student with the hotline number for the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the NJ Hopeline, or any 24/7 mental health hotline deemed appropriate by the Secretary of Higher Education. In addition to providing students with the hotline numbers, the institution shall post the hotline numbers in each dormitory, library, and student center, and any other facility or area on campus that the institution determines to be appropriate. L.2021, c.445; amended 2023, c.177, s.50.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026