This bill mandates a minimum annual appropriation of $10 million from the State's General Fund to the Department of Health for Public Health Priority Funding, starting July 1 following the bill's enactment. This funding is intended to support local health departments in New Jersey, which previously relied on such appropriations until the funding was eliminated in the FY 2011 Appropriations Act. The bill aims to restore the flexibility and resources that local health departments need to address community health needs and emerging threats effectively.

The legislation supplements the Public Health Priority Funding Act of 1977, which historically provided unrestricted funds to local health departments. The absence of this funding has hindered their ability to operate effectively, as they currently depend on local property taxes and designated State and federal funding for specific purposes. By reinstating this dedicated funding, the bill seeks to enhance the operational capacity of local health departments and ensure they can maintain essential public health programs.