This bill mandates that State agencies and local government entities purchase five percent of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency, which supports rehabilitation facilities for individuals with disabilities. The bill removes the previous language requiring these entities to "make a good faith effort" to meet this purchasing threshold, making it a firm requirement. Additionally, it establishes new reporting and oversight protocols, requiring the Division of Purchase and Property to submit purchasing data to the Central Nonprofit Agency within six months of the bill's enactment and quarterly thereafter. The Department of the Treasury is also tasked with providing an annual compliance report to the Governor and Legislature.

Furthermore, the bill introduces training protocols for purchasing agents employed by State and local government entities to enhance awareness of the Rehabilitation Facilities Set-Aside program and the Central Nonprofit Agency's role. These training sessions will be mandatory for new hires and must be renewed biennially. The bill also grants the Central Nonprofit Agency a right of first refusal for goods and services that may be procured through cooperative purchasing agreements, provided they can offer these at a price within 15 percent of fair market value. Overall, this legislation aims to strengthen the support for individuals with disabilities by ensuring consistent purchasing from rehabilitation facilities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30:6-30, 30:6-30.1