The 11-member group will oversee Bergen Regional Medical Center
PARAMUS -- Gov. Christie gave the final green light Wednesday to creating an oversight committee for the state's largest hospital, Bergen Regional Medical Center.
Christie signed the bill, S2361, which will create an 11-member committee that will include representatives from the financial and healthcare fields. The group will oversee management at a facility where there has been several reports of violence by patients toward caregivers.
Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), a sponsor of the bill, said she had "full confidence" the law would allow Bergen Regional to have a "bright future."
Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco had previously said the county would find a way to create oversight over the hospital, even if approval did not come from Trenton.
"It is important that Bergen County maintains a public social safety net for those who need medical help but cannot afford it," Tedesco said in a statement. "An authority can assist in developing a newer and more modern facility on the campus, which will allow for increased safety of the staff and patients and allow the facility to provide an improved level of care."
Some sponsors of the bill said they took up the issue of creating the committee after the reports of violence toward caregivers.
Christie conditionally vetoed the bill at the end of August over language related to "prevailing wage." The Legislature adopted his changes last week and the bill went back to his desk.
The Paramus facility offers long-term behavioral health and acute term care. The county's contract with Bergen County Improvement Authority is set to expire in March 2017.
Sara Jerde may be reached at sjerde@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SaraJerde.