WeVote
Log In

Bill

MD

Bill

A 5597

Requires hospitals to adopt and develop environmental sustainability plan.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Margie Donlon and 1 co-sponsor

Hospitals must adopt, implement, and publicly report an environmental sustainability plan every four years (six months for new licenses) and annually report progress to DOH.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Health Committee
#environment #healthfac
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 5597

NJ Bill A-5597: Environmental Sustainability Plans for Hospitals

Bill at a Glance

  • Bill Number: A-5597
  • Title: Requires hospitals to adopt and develop environmental sustainability plan
  • Subject: Environment, Health Care Facilities (Health)
  • Status: Introduced in the Assembly; referred to Assembly Health Committee (initially also referred to Codes)
  • Introduced: February 18, 2025
  • Sponsor (primary): Marianne Buttenschon (plus multiple cosponsors)
  • Effective: Takes effect immediately

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to address climate and environmental impacts of New Jersey’s health care system. It acknowledges health care as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and seeks to advance sustainability, resilience, and efficiency in hospital operations. The measure places a structured requirement on hospitals to develop, implement, and publicly report on environmental sustainability plans.

Key Provisions

  • Scope of coverage

    • Applies to “hospitals” defined as acute care general hospitals licensed under state statute (P.L.1971, c.136; NJ statutory references).

  • Sustainability plan requirement (every four years)

    • Each hospital must adopt, develop, and submit an environmental sustainability plan to the Department of Health (DOH) every four years.
    • Newly licensed hospitals must submit a plan within six months of licensure.

  • Plan contents (illustrative focus areas; not exhaustive)

    1. Formation of Green Teams and a Sustainability Officer at the executive level.
    2. Analysis of financial implications and potential funding for sustainability efforts.
    3. Sustainable purchasing strategies prioritizing community health, safety, and environmental goals.
    4. End-of-life disposal considerations to reduce waste and toxicity.
    5. Water use reduction and conservation.
    6. Waste reduction in operating room design (lighting, anesthesia, reusables).
    7. Adoption of renewable energy (e.g., wind, solar).
    8. Employee and community education programs on sustainability.
    9. Local/regional food sourcing and use of third-party sustainability certifications.
    10. Use of less toxic chemicals and improved disposal management.
    11. Policy to design/construct all new buildings and major renovations to LEED or equivalent standards.
    12. Strategies to reduce carbon emissions, including EV/hybrid transitions, tree planting, and carbon credits.
    13. Stakeholder resilience and recognition of interdependencies in supply and demand.

  • Annual progress reporting

    • Hospitals must submit an annual progress report to the DOH by January 15 each year.
    • The report must be published on the DOH website.

  • Advisory support

    • The DOH may establish a Sustainability in Health Care Facilities Advisory Committee to assist in reviewing plans.

  • Regulatory authority

    • DOH may adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the act.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary: Acute care general hospitals licensed in New Jersey.
  • Indirect: Hospital leadership (Sustainability Officers, Green Teams), procurement and facilities staff, suppliers and vendors, and local communities served by hospitals.

Implementation and Timelines

  • Immediate effect of the act’s passage (as to authority to regulate and publish rules).
  • Plan submissions every four years; initial cycles upon enactment for existing hospitals, and six-month window for new licenses.
  • Ongoing DOH oversight with annual reporting and potential advisory input.

Related Context

  • The bill cites health care sustainability best practices (e.g., Kaiser Permanente) to illustrate potential benefits and savings from energy, water, and waste reductions.

Related Bills

  • A 10725 (prior-session)
  • A 651 (prior-session)

This summary focuses on the substantive requirements and likely impact on hospitals’ operations and reporting obligations.

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

Sign in to ask a question.