N.J. Stat. tit. 52, ch. 9E

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 52:9E-1 Short title

1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Spinal Cord Research Act." L.1999,c.201,s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 52:9E-2 Definitions relative to spinal cord research.

2. As used in this act: a. "Approved research project" means a peer reviewed scientific research project, which is approved by the commission and which focuses on the treatment and cure of spinal cord injuries and diseases that damage the spinal cord. b. "Commission" means the New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Research established pursuant to this act. c. "Institutional support services" means all services, facilities, equipment, personnel and expenditures associated with the creation and maintenance of approved research projects. d. "Qualifying research institution" means Rowan University; Rutgers, The State University; Princeton University; the Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Corporation; the Coriell Institute for Medical Research; and any other research institution in the State approved by the commission. L.1999, c.201, s.2; amended 2012, c.45, s.127.

N.J. Stat. § 52:9E-3 New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Research.

3. a. There is established in the Executive Branch of the State government, the New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Research. For the purposes of complying with the provisions of Article V, Section IV, paragraph 1 of the New Jersey Constitution, the commission is allocated within the Department of Health and Senior Services, but notwithstanding that allocation, the commission shall be independent of any supervision or control by the department or by any board or officer thereof. b. The commission shall consist of 11 members, including the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, or his designee, who shall serve ex officio; one representative of Rowan University; one representative of Rutgers, The State University; one representative of the federally designated Spinal Cord Injury Model System; one representative from the American Paralysis Association; and six public members who are residents of the State knowledgeable about spinal cord injuries and who include at least one physician licensed in this State and at least one person with a spinal cord injury. The members shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. c. The term of office of each appointed member shall be three years, but of the members first appointed, three shall be appointed for a term of one year, four for terms of two years, and three for terms of three years. All vacancies shall be filled for the balances of the unexpired terms in the same manner as the original appointments. Appointed members are eligible for reappointment upon the expiration of their terms. A member shall continue to serve upon the expiration of his term until a successor is appointed. The members of the commission shall not receive compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the commission. L.1999, c.201, s.3; amended 2012, c.45, s.128.

N.J. Stat. § 52:9E-4 Responsibilities of commission

4. The commission shall: a. Review and authorize approved research projects, for which purpose the commission may establish an independent scientific advisory panel composed of scientists and clinicians who are not members of the commission to review proposals submitted to the commission and make funding recommendations to the commission; b. Apportion all available funds to qualifying research institutions to finance approved research projects and necessary institutional support services; c. Ensure that funds so apportioned to approved research projects are not diverted to any other use; d. Take steps necessary to encourage the development within the State of spinal cord research projects; e. Compile a directory of all spinal cord research projects being conducted in the State; and f. Provide the Governor and the Legislature with a report by January 30 of each year describing the status of the commission's activities and the results of its funded research efforts. L.1999,c.201,s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 52:9E-5 Authority of commission

5. The commission is authorized to: a. Adopt rules and regulations concerning the operation of the commission, the functions and responsibilities of its officers and employees and other matters as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this act; b. Maintain offices at such places within the State as it may designate; c. Employ an executive director and other personnel as may be necessary, whose employment shall be in the unclassified service of the State, except that employees performing stenographic or clerical duties shall be appointed pursuant to Title 11A (Civil Service) of the New Jersey Statutes; d. Design a fair and equitable system for the solicitation, evaluation and approval of proposals for spinal cord research projects; e. Apply for and accept any grant of money from the federal government, which may be available for programs relating to research on the spinal cord; f. Enter into contracts with individuals, organizations and institutions necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this act; and g. Accept gifts, grants and bequests of funds from individuals, foundations, corporations, governmental agencies and other organizations and institutions. L.1999,c.201,s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 52:9E-6 Election, duties of officers

6. The commission shall annually elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members. The chairman shall be the chief executive officer of the commission, shall preside at all meetings of the commission and shall perform other duties that the commission may prescribe. The executive director shall serve as secretary to the commission and shall carry out its policies under the direction of the chairman. L.1999,c.201,s.6.

N.J. Stat. § 52:9E-7 Direct application for funds permitted

7. Nothing in this act shall preclude a qualifying research institution or any other research facility in the State from directly applying for or receiving funds from any public or private agency to conduct spinal cord research. L.1999,c.201,s.7.

N.J. Stat. § 52:9E-8 Establishment, maintenance of central registry

8. a. The commission shall establish and maintain, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Senior Services, a central registry of persons who sustain spinal cord injuries other than through disease, whether or not the injury results in a permanent disability, in order to provide a database that indicates the incidence and prevalence of spinal cord injuries and which will serve as a resource for research, evaluation and information on spinal cord injuries and available services. b. The commission shall require the reporting of all cases of spinal cord injuries, except those caused through disease, and the submission of specified additional information on reported cases as it deems necessary and appropriate. The commission shall, by regulation, specify the health care facilities and providers required to make the report of a spinal cord injury to the registry, information that shall be included in the report to the registry, the method for making the report and the time period in which the report shall be made. c. The reports made pursuant to this section are to be used only by the commission and the Department of Health and Senior Services and such other agencies as may be designated by the commission or the department and shall not otherwise be divulged or made public so as to disclose the identity of any person to whom they relate; and to that end, the reports shall not be included under materials available to public inspection pursuant to P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.). d. No individual or organization providing information to the commission in accordance with this section shall be deemed to be, or held liable for, divulging confidential information. Nothing in this section shall be construed to compel any individual to submit to medical, commission or department examination or supervision. e. A health care facility or health care provider who is required to report a spinal cord injury to the commission that fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be liable to a penalty of up to $100 per unreported spinal cord injury case. A penalty sued for under the provisions of this section shall be recovered by and in the name of the commission and shall be deposited in the "New Jersey Spinal Cord Research Fund" established pursuant to this act. L.1999,c.201,s.8.

N.J. Stat. § 52:9E-9 "New Jersey Spinal Cord Research Fund"

9. a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a nonlapsing revolving fund to be known as the "New Jersey Spinal Cord Research Fund." This fund shall be the repository for moneys provided pursuant to subsection e. of R.S.39:5-41. Moneys deposited in the fund, and any interest earned thereon, shall be used exclusively for the purpose of making grants for approved spinal cord research projects at qualified research institutions. b. Any costs incurred by the department in the collection or administration of the fund may be deducted from the funds deposited therein, as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. L.1999,c.201,s.9.

N.J. Stat. § 52:9E-10 Rules, regulations pertinent to spinal cord research

11. The commission shall adopt such regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this act. L.1999,c.201,s.10.

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