Establishes student-athlete mental health specialists in school districts and public institutions of higher education; creates student-athlete mental health registry; makes appropriation.

New Jersey Senate Bill S 974 requires public school districts to appoint a mental health specialist for student-athletes participating in school sports programs. The specialist must conduct three annual mental health screenings per season using research-based tools, with parental consent required, and provide resources to athletes, coaches, and staff. School districts must also develop a mental health policy covering symptom recognition, stress reduction, emergency protocols, and transition care, and submit only aggregated, non-identifiable data to the state. This bill directly affects all public school student-athletes in New Jersey and mandates concrete changes to support their mental wellness through structured screening and policy requirements.