§ 4:1-50 "New Jersey One Health Task Force", established; goals, responsibilities.

2. a. There is established the "New Jersey One Health Task Force" in the Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the task force shall be to develop a strategic plan to promote inter-disciplinary communication and collaboration between physicians, veterinarians, and other scientific professionals and State agencies, with the goal of promoting the health and well-being of the State's residents, animals, and environment. b. The goals and responsibilities of the task force shall include, but are not limited to: (1) development of a plan to promote inter-disciplinary communication and collaboration between human, animal, and environment health professionals; (2) development of protocols for the response to, and recovery from, zoonotic disease outbreaks in animals and humans; (3) development of better diagnostic tests for zoonotic, vector-borne, and environmental diseases; (4) collaboration among disciplines for development of effective xenosurveillance to identify genetic signatures of pathogens in vertebrates; (5) promotion of and education concerning judicious antibiotic use by human, veterinary, and agriculture health professionals; (6) investigation of antibiotic alternatives, such as bacteriophage therapy; (7) coordination and collaboration among appropriate entities to develop new approaches to reduce hazards to human and animal health and to address public health threats in a manner that prevents duplication; and (8) educational and outreach initiatives to promote the One Health approach across State government agencies, the State's academic and research institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and private entities. c. In executing its responsibilities, the task force shall identify and partner with academic institutions and nongovernmental organizations in the State and consult with associations, organizations, and individuals who are knowledgeable about the One Health initiative. L.2021, c.117, s.2.