26:4-48.3 Informational materials.

2. a. The department shall develop and print written informational materials related to expedited partner therapy, in accordance with the provisions of this section, and shall regularly distribute an adequate supply of printed copies of the informational materials to health care professionals in the State. A health care professional who elects to provide expedited partner therapy shall hand out copies of the informational materials, which have been distributed by the department pursuant to this subsection, to each patient under the professional's care who is diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease, for subsequent delivery by the patient to all of the patient's sexual partners who are eligible for expedited partner therapy.

b. The written informational materials that are developed and distributed by the department pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be made available in English, Spanish, and any other language that the commissioner determines is the first language of a significant number of people who use or are likely to use expedited partner therapy, and shall include the following:

(1) Information about any medication prescribed or dispensed, including clear and explicit allergy and side effect warnings and a statement that a person who has a history of allergy to the medication, or medications in the same pharmaceutical class as the medication, should not take the medication and should immediately contact a health care professional for a clinical examination;

(2) A warning that a woman who is pregnant or who might be pregnant should not take certain antibiotics and should immediately contact a health care professional for a clinical examination;

(3) Information about the treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, including the necessity of practicing abstinence for a certain period of time during and after treatment to prevent the risk of exposing others to infection;

(4) Notice concerning the risk to the person, the person's sexual partners, and others, as well as the risk to the public health, if the sexually transmitted disease is not completely and successfully treated;

(5) A recommendation that the person contact a health care professional for a clinical examination that includes testing for sexually transmitted diseases, including the human immunodeficiency virus, and information concerning available testing and clinical resources;

(6) Information concerning the person's responsibility to inform the person's sexual partners of the risk of infection with a sexually transmitted disease, and the importance of urging those partners to seek prompt clinical examination and treatment;

(7) Advice to all women and symptomatic persons, and, in particular, women with symptoms suggestive of pelvic inflammatory disease, to seek medical attention;

(8) Notice that the person may contact a health care professional, the local board of health, or the department with questions concerning the information contained in the materials;

(9) Notice that the person will be liable for the cost of the medication prescribed, unless the person has prescription benefits coverage or the medication was dispensed or otherwise furnished by a health care professional without charge; and

(10) Any other information as may be required by the department, including any additional information or materials the department recommends be provided to persons who are repeatedly diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease.

c. In consideration of the recommendations and guidelines issued by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the department shall develop and make available to health care professionals informational materials and guidance concerning the safe and effective provision of expedited partner therapy. The department may also offer educational programs about expedited partner therapy for health care professionals and licensed pharmacists.

d. The commissioner shall, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), and in consideration of recommendations and guidelines issued by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of this act, including, but not limited to, establishing a list of sexually transmitted diseases that may be treated through expedited partner therapy.

L.2019, c.336, s.2.