N.J. Stat. tit. 26, ch. 2P

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 26:2P-1 Findings, declarations

1. The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection which is spread by certain ticks, and is one of the fastest growing public health problems in New Jersey; b. Studies of Lyme disease treatment have shown that costs associated with long-term treatment of infected persons have often exceeded $100,000 per case and have a significant negative social impact; c. Lyme disease, which is the most common tick-borne disease in this country, is present in 48 states and five continents and is spreading, with New Jersey being one of the states in which the disease is most prevalent. New Jersey experienced the largest percentage increase in reported cases of Lyme disease of any state between 1993 and 1994; d. Lyme disease was not widely recognized in the United States until 1975 and was first identified in New Jersey in Monmouth county in 1978; e. Even though Lyme disease is receiving increased public attention among both the medical community and the general public, it is often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed, which results in more serious health problems for the affected person; f. If untreated, Lyme disease, in its later stages, can result in neurological disorders, including, but not limited to, chronic and severe fatigue, encephalitis, meningitis, memory loss, dementia and seizures; severe arthritis; cardiac dysfunction; vision loss, gastrointestinal disorders, paralysis, strokes and death; g. Other tick-borne diseases known or suspected to occur in New Jersey include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, human monocytic ehrlichiosis, human granulocytic ehrlichiosis and human babesiosis; and h. County mosquito control agencies throughout the State are currently staffed and equipped to control nuisance and vector species of mosquitoes. These commissions or agencies provide a central operational unit within each county with the capability to advise and assist the Department of Health and Senior Services in the development and implementation of an integrated approach to manage tick-borne disease vectors. L.1991,c.277,s.1; amended 1997, c.52, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 26:2P-2 Governor's Lyme Disease Advisory Council

2. There is created a 13-member "Governor's Lyme Disease Advisory Council." The council shall consist of: the Commissioners of the Departments of Environmental Protection, Health and Education, or their designees, who shall serve ex officio; and 10 public members who by virtue of education or experience are knowledgeable about the problems of Lyme disease, six to be appointed by the Governor, at least one of whom shall be a physician and at least one of whom shall be a veterinarian, two to be appointed by the President of the Senate and two to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly. The public members shall serve for three-year terms or until a successor is appointed; but of the members initially appointed, five shall serve for a term of three years and five shall serve for a term of two years. Vacancies in the membership of the council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments are made and a member may be eligible for reappointment. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term. The members of the council shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for traveling and other miscellaneous expenses necessary to perform their duties, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the council for its purposes. L.1991,c.277,s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 26:2P-3 Purpose of council

3. The council shall advise the Governor regarding the prevention, detection, occurrence, diagnosis, treatment and cure of Lyme disease, and shall establish a mechanism through which physicians and communities throughout the State can share information on the disease. L.1991,c.277,s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 26:2P-4 Organization of council, meetings

4. The council shall organize as soon after the appointment of its members as is practicable. A majority of the council members shall elect a chairperson and a secretary who need not be a member of the council. The council shall meet at regular intervals but at least on a monthly basis. L.1991,c.277,s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 26:2P-5 Assistance to council from government entities

5. The council is entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of any State, county or municipal department, board, bureau, commission or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes. The Department of the Treasury shall supply professional, stenographic and clerical assistance which is necessary for the council to perform its duties. The council may incur miscellaneous expenses as it may deem necessary, in order to perform its duties, and as may be within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to it for those purposes. L.1991,c.277,s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 26:2P-6 Annual report

6. The council shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature by March 1 of each year. L.1991,c.277,s.6.

N.J. Stat. § 26:2P-7 Designation of commission, agency to coordinate pest management.

2. The Board of Chosen Freeholders of a county may designate any county mosquito commission or other agency or any combination thereof to provide surveillance, education, training and recommendations on integrated pest management for the management of Lyme disease or other tick-borne disease vectors. In the event of a public health necessity, the designated commission or agency may conduct other tick management activities in accordance with tick management protocols established by the Department of Health and Senior Services. L.1997,c.52,s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 26:2P-8 Tick removal, prevention, discovery guidelines, publish, Department of Health website.

4. The Department of Health shall publish on the department's Internet website guidelines concerning the prevention, discovery, and removal of ticks on persons. L.2023, c.60, s.4.

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