ROLL CALL

STATEMENT CONCERNING THE
ANNUAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MINUTES Approval of the February 13, 2008 Open Board Minutes

MINUTES Approval of the February 11, 2008 Open Credentials Committee Minutes

NEW BUSINESS

1. LEGISLATION

SENATE BILL 754

Seeks to revise the "Uniform Anatomical Gift Act."

It was introduced by Senator Richard J. Codey on or about January 8, 2008 and referred to the Senate Health Human and Senior Citizens Committee. It was reported out of Committee on or about February 14, 2008 for a second reading in the Senate.

The Executive Committee recommends support.

SENATE BILL 755

This bill seeks to establish the "New Jersey Hero Act," so named to highlight the heroic act of donating one’s organs and tissues to save and enhance the lives of others. It was introduced by Senator Richard J. Codey on or about January 8, 2008 and referred to the Senate Health Human and Senior Citizens Committee. On or about February 14, 2008, it was reported out of Committee with amendments.. As amended by the committee, this bill contains two major initiatives. First, the bill mandates education for public high school, higher education, and medical school and nursing school students and professionals to dispel myths associated with organ donation, provide accurate information, and emphasize the fundamental responsibility of individuals to take appropriate action, when able, to help save another person’s life. Second, the bill ties organ donation decision-making to certain routine functions connected to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).

The State Board of Medical Examiners and the New Jersey Board of Nursing, in collaboration with the designated Organ Procurement Organizations ("OPOs"), are to prescribe by regulation requirements for physician and professional nurse training as follows:

The curriculum in each school in this State shall include instruction in organ and tissue donation and recovery designed to address clinical aspects of the donation and recovery process.

· Completion of such instruction will be required as a condition of receiving a diploma.

· A college of medicine or nursing program which includes instruction in organ and tissue donation and recovery in its curricula shall offer such training for continuing education credit.

· A physician licensed to practice prior to the effective date of this bill, who was not required to receive and did not receive such instruction as part of the physician’s school curriculum, is encouraged to complete training in organ and tissue donation and recovery no later than three years after the effective date of the bill through an on-line credit-based course developed by or for the OPOs.

The Executive Committee recommends opposing this bill. It questioned whether the Board was the appropriate agency to mandate curriculum in a medical school and noted that there are already various entities that are charged with this responsibility such as the accrediting bodies such as the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Additionally, this did not provide as a requirement of medical education for those attending international schools or medical schools in other states.

2. PHYSICIANS ASSISTANT ADVISORY PROPOSAL

Attached is a copy of the Physician Assistant Advisory Committee’s proposed amendment to its regulations. The Comment period has closed and also attached are the comments received and proposed responses. Approval for publication in the New Jersey Register as a final adoption is sought.

OLD BUSINESS

Nothing Scheduled.

INFORMATIONAL

PUBLIC COMMENT

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