Committee advances bill to create dedicated license for source plasma donation centers

Summary

A2288 would require source plasma donation centers to obtain an annual license from the Department of Health and empower the commissioner with inspection and enforcement authority. Julia Fabens of the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association testified that New Jersey’s 18 centers lag peer states and that a dedicated license would expand local plasma collection.

Assembly Bill A2288, which would require source plasma donation centers to apply annually for a dedicated license from the Department of Health and give the commissioner inspection and enforcement powers, was read and released by the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee.

Julia Fabens, representing the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association, testified that plasma‑derived therapies treat life‑threatening diseases and that New Jersey currently collects at roughly 18 centers — far fewer than comparable states. Fabens urged the committee to adopt a licensing category for source plasma donation centers rather than treating them as blood banks, arguing the older framework places unrelated requirements on plasma centers and limits growth.

Fabens cited other states that have separated plasma licensing from blood bank rules and noted economic and patient‑access benefits tied to increased collection capacity. Committee members moved and released the bill after testimony in favor from trade associations and company slips.