Governor Signs Kean Bill to Expedite Coronavirus Testing

Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that will help more people get tested for the coronavirus was signed into law today by Governor Phil Murphy.

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s bill significantly increasing available facilities for coronavirus testing was signed into law. (©iStock)

“Our state is working very hard to process COVID-19 tests, but bottlenecks at the facilities where healthcare workers are collecting samples has resulted in long lines and frustration,” said Kean (R-21). “It’s just not a good idea to have people who are may be infected with the virus waiting in lines for hours with dozens or hundreds of other people. This new law signed today will make the process simpler, faster, and more convenient.”

Kean’s bill (A-3854/S-2286) significantly increases the number of testing sites by allowing all licensed healthcare facilities and laboratories to collect specimens specifically to test for COVID-19.

“This gives us a much more efficient means to collect samples,” Kean noted. “We’ll lower the barriers to testing and more people will be evaluated. No longer will we be overwhelming the few places that are doing the tests.”

In addition, under the new law, staffing ratio requirements in healthcare facilities can be waived for testing.

Senate Republicans Chris Brown, Jim Holzapfel, Robert Singer and Declan O’Scanlon are also prime sponsors of the measure.