iNew Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed an Executive Order directing “health care facilities” designated by the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to submit reports on capacity and supplies by 10:00 a.m. each day.
The Governor signed Executive Order 111 on March 28, 2020. It is the tenth EO he has signed since the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. EO 111 goes into effect immediately.
Coverage; Scope of OEM Authority
While EO 111 does not identify the facilities that must submit daily reports, it states that licensed acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospital systems (including specialty hospitals), and emergency modular field treatment facilities may be included in the designations.
EO 111 gives the OEM the discretion to determine what constitutes a “health care facility” under applicable state statutes. Accordingly, facilities not previously covered under the state’s definition may receive OEM designations and, upon any such designation, will be required to provide the daily reports.
The EO does not specify the information to be submitted, but the OEM is expected to request information on bed capacity and availability of supplies, including personal protective equipment, ventilators, and other items necessary to treat COVID-19 patients. The OEM will establish a process for collection of the data.
In addition, EO 111 authorizes OEM to disseminate the data collected from facilities as it deems necessary during the state of emergency. The data collection and dissemination will enable OEM to allocate the resources necessary to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout New Jersey.
Violations
The failure of a facility that receives an OEM designation and request for data to furnish the requested information by 10:00 a.m. daily could result in a disorderly persons offense for violation of EO 111. Penalties for such violations include up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
