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 requirement for maintaining existing contracts with the DOC and DCF until their expiration. Upon expiration, the departments will have the authority to award contracts to vendors, thereby increasing the flexibility in service provision.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:65-94