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S 3317

Relates to requests for birth certificates

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tony Palumbo

Counties may create voluntary central registries of residents 65+ to target emergency aid and provide kits, with data used only by the county OEM and protected from public view.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 3317

Summary — S-3317: Relates to requests for birth certificates / senior emergency registries (as reported)

Note: Committee title in the bill text focuses on emergency management for seniors (county registries and emergency kits). Below summarizes substantive provisions, status, and likely impacts.

Purpose

Allow counties in New Jersey to create voluntary central registries of senior residents (age 65+) to improve emergency planning and delivery of assistance, and to enable counties to prepare and provide emergency supply kits for registered seniors.

Key provisions

  • Authorization: Each county may establish a central registry, maintained by the county Office of Emergency Management (OEM), for senior residents (65+) who voluntarily register to receive additional assistance during emergencies.
  • Required registrant information: Examples listed include name, address, telephone number, emergency contact, and medical conditions (the bill allows other relevant information as provided by registrants).
  • Public awareness: Counties that create a registry must conduct a public awareness campaign (including Internet and other resources) to encourage senior registration.
  • Use and confidentiality:
    • Information may be used only by the county OEM that collected it to prepare for and provide assistance to senior residents.
    • The county OEM director may, at the director’s discretion, access registry information maintained by other counties only for preparing the county Emergency Operations Plan required under P.L.1989, c.222.
    • Registries and their information are exempted from public inspection under NJ public records laws cited in the bill.
  • Emergency supply kits: Each county may prepare and provide emergency supply kits for registered seniors; kit contents are determined by each county OEM consistent with section 20 of P.L.1989, c.222.
  • Appropriation: A General Fund appropriation to the State Office of Emergency Management of “such sums as may be necessary” for operating expenses to prepare emergency supply kits, subject to approval of the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting.
  • Effective date: First day of the thirteenth month after enactment; State OEM Director may take anticipatory administrative actions in advance.

Who is affected

  • Senior residents (age 65+) — may voluntarily register to receive prioritized assistance and kits.
  • County Offices of Emergency Management — responsible for maintaining registries, outreach, kit preparation, and use of data.
  • State Office of Emergency Management — may receive appropriations to support kit preparation and coordinate implementation.
  • General taxpayers — potential costs borne from General Fund appropriation (amount unspecified).

Privacy & data protections

  • Registry data restricted to OEM use for emergency planning/response.
  • Registries exempt from public inspection under cited state public records laws.
  • Inter-county data sharing limited to Emergency Operations Plan preparation at a county director’s discretion.

Procedural status (selected)

  • Introduced: 2024-06-03 (Senate), referred to Senate Law & Public Safety Committee.
  • Reported with committee amendments: 2025-05-29 (2nd reading).
  • Also listed as referred to Health on 2025-01-24.
  • Primary sponsor: Sen. Anthony H. Palumbo.
  • Related: Prior-session S-9177; companion A-3948.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Benefits: Improved identification and prioritization of vulnerable seniors in emergencies; more targeted resource delivery.
  • Resource implications: Counties will need staff and logistics to run registries, conduct outreach, and assemble/distribute kits; state appropriation provided but amount unspecified.
  • Participation-dependent: Effectiveness depends on voluntary registration rates and accuracy/updating of information.
  • Privacy safeguards included, but implementation details (data security, retention, opt-out/update procedures) will matter operationally.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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