The Cancer Epidemiology Services of the Division of Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health of the Public Health Services Branch of the Department of Health and Senior Services proposes to readopt with amendments N.J.A.C. 8:57A Cancer Registry, the rules establishing the reporting procedures and disease conditions to be reported to the New Jersey State Cancer Registry, which the Department maintains. 

The notice of proposal appears in the November 1, 2010, issue of the New Jersey Register.  The Department has extended the initial 60 day public comment period to provide an additional 30 days.  The public has until February 26, 2011, to comment on the proposal. 

The chapter requires the administrative officers of health care facilities, physicians, dentists, other health care providers, directors of independent clinical laboratories, health care insurers and other third-party health care payers to report occurrences of the types of cancer listed in the chapter to the Cancer Registry.  The Department is proposing substantive and technical amendments throughout the chapter.  Among proposed substantive amendments are:

·        The supplementation of the existing list of reportable diseases and conditions with additional malignant diseases and conditions, and revision of the list to reflect changes in the nomenclature and malignancy classification of diseases and conditions already listed therein;

·        The clarification of case reporting procedures; and

·        The publication of forms required for reporting and other purposes.

Persons wishing to comment on the proposal must submit their comments in writing by regular mail to Devon L. Graf, Director, Office of Legal and Regulatory Compliance, Office of the Commissioner, NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, P O Box 360, Trenton, NJ 08625-0360.  Written comments must be postmarked on or before February 26, 2011, which is the close of the extended 30-day public comment period.  The Department will not accept telefacsimiles or electronic mail messages as official comments on the notice of proposal.

# # #