This bill amends current law to allow the Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to award contracts for medical and dental services to vendors, rather than requiring these services to be provided exclusively by public employees. The change aims to enhance the procurement process for these services, enabling DOC and DCF to select vendors based on the most advantageous proposals, considering price and other factors. This shift is intended to improve efficiency and quality while potentially reducing healthcare costs for the State.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the transfer of certain educational institutions and facilities from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey to Rutgers, The State University. It specifies that the Cancer Institute of New Jersey will become an independent institute at Rutgers and outlines the commitment of Rutgers to maintain the public mission of the former university, including its affiliation with University Hospital. The bill also ensures that existing contracts with the DOC and DCF will be honored until expiration, after which the departments may choose to contract with private vendors for services.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:65-94