# N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-1: Declaration of public policy

> New Jersey · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-1

## Section

- **Citation:** N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-1
- **Heading:** Declaration of public policy
- **Jurisdiction:** New Jersey
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** NJ Code / Title 26 / Chapter 2H / Section 2H-1

## Text

1. It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the State that hospital and related health care services and behavioral health care services of the highest quality, of demonstrated need, efficiently provided and accessible at a reasonable cost are of vital concern to the public health. It is further declared that integrating physical and behavioral health care is the most effective way to improve the health of individuals and the population at large. In order to provide for the protection and promotion of the health of the inhabitants of the State, the Department of Health shall have the central responsibility for the development and administration of the State's policy with respect to health planning, hospital and related health care services and health care facility cost containment programs, behavioral health treatment and prevention programs, and all public and private institutions, whether State, county, municipal, incorporated or not incorporated, serving principally as residential health care facilities, nursing or maternity homes, or as facilities for the prevention, diagnosis, care, or treatment of human disease, mental illness, substance use disorder, pain, injury, deformity, or physical condition, shall be subject to the provisions of this act. L.1971, c.136, s.1; amended 1978, c.83, s.1; 1979, c.496, s.19; 1991, c.187, s.27; 1992, c.160, s.21; 2017, c.294, s.1.

## Nearby sections

- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-1 Declaration of public policy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-2 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-4 Health Care Administration Board; membership; appointment; terms; vacancies; meetings; compensation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-4.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-5 Commissioner's powers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-5.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-5.1 Collection of information on costs and revenues; report to legislature](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-5.1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-5.1a Regulations for oversight of hospitals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-5.1a.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-5.1b Conditions for licensure of general hospital.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-5.1b.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-5.1c Ambulatory care facility to use common billing form.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-5.1c.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-5.1d Identification numbers of physicians publicly available.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-5.1d.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-5.1e Quarterly report from ambulatory care facility; required information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-5.1e.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-5.1g Regulations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-5.1g.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-5.8 Review of application for certificate of need.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-5.8.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-5.12 Integrated safety features required on needles, etc.; dentists, exempt, certain circumstances.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-5.12.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 26:2H-5.13 Responsibilities of health care facility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-5.13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T26_C2H_S2H-1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
