The Vaccine-Preventable Disease Program of the Division of Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health in the Public Health Services Branch of Health and Senior Services of the Department proposes to readopt N.J.A.C. 8:57B, the rules governing the Hepatitis Inoculation Fund, with technical amendments.  The notice of proposal appears in the February 22, 2011, issue of the New Jersey Register. 

The Hepatitis Inoculation Fund is a fund for the payment of the costs of hepatitis B inoculations for certain health and safety workers.  The fund is a separate, nonlapsing, revolving account, the source of which is a percentage of proceeds collected from property forfeitures and cash seizures.  N.J.A.C. 8:57B Hepatitis Inoculation Fund establishes processes by which the Department administers the fund to assist municipalities with expenses incurred in providing hepatitis B inoculations to certain emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and police officers.

The public has until April 23, 2011, to comment on the proposal.  Persons wishing to comment on the proposal must submit their comments in writing by regular mail to Devon L. Graf, Director, Office of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Office of the Commissioner, NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, PO Box 360, Trenton, NJ 08625-0360.  Written comments must be postmarked on or before April 23, 2011, which is the close of the 60-day public comment period.  The Department will not accept telefacsimiles or electronic mail messages as official comments on the notice of proposal.

# # #