Assembly Measure to Support Cleaning and Sanitization Efforts in Nursing Homes, Healthcare Facilities Heads to Governor

Bill Part of COVID-19 Response Package

(TRENTON) – Aiming to help schools and healthcare facilities meet increased sanitization needs during the novel coronavirus pandemic, legislation passed the Senate and received final legislative approval on Thursday. It now goes to the Governor for further review.

Assemblywoman Joann Downey (D-Monmouth) and Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic) sponsor the measure (A-3856), which would make a supplemental appropriation of $10 million from the General Fund to assist certain healthcare and residential facilities with increased cleaning and sanitization during the outbreak. Facilities eligible for the grant include nursing homes, homeless shelters, long-term care facilities, urgent care, retirement centers and state psychiatric hospitals. The Assembly voted in favor, 65-0.

The sponsors released the following statements:

Assemblywoman Downey: “To combat this pandemic, we’re going to need to step up our cleaning and sanitization efforts in all public places. It’s even more critical in nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities that house our elderly and sick populations that may be more vulnerable to COVID-19. Ensuring areas are cleaned and disinfected on a more frequent basis is one of our best defenses against this virus.”

Assemblyman Wimberly: “During any public health emergency, we must not forget about our most vulnerable populations like seniors, hospital patients and homeless people. By providing financial aid to healthcare facilities and social service centers to expand their cleaning and sanitization regimens, we will help protect these communities from the threat of COVID-19.”