S 1227 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Establishes Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program; appropriates $3 million.

This bill establishes the Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services, appropriating $3 million to fund confidential mental health services. It directly affects law enforcement officers and their family members (defined as spouses, domestic partners, children, or parents living in the same household) experiencing mental health crises or suicidal distress. The program awards grants to licensed mental health providers who meet geographic criteria to ensure services are accessible within a one-hour travel distance. The Commissioner of Human Services will manage applications, select providers, and publish a list of approved services online, aiming to reduce stigma and improve access to care.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee to expand the Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program so that it now includes 'peer support teams' (trained law enforcement officers) as eligible grant recipients alongside mental health providers. The range of fundable services was also broadened from confidential mental health services alone to include 'emotional and practical assistance.' The bill's explanatory statement was removed in the reprint, which is a standard formatting change.

DEFINITION

A new definition for 'peer support team' was added: law enforcement officers or authorized representatives of a collective bargaining unit representing law enforcement officers who are trained by culturally competent mental health professionals to provide emotional and practical assistance to first responders.

ELIGIBILITY

The grant program now awards grants to both mental health providers AND peer support teams, expanding who can receive funding beyond licensed mental health professionals.

SCOPE

The services that can be funded were expanded from 'confidential mental health services' to 'confidential mental health services and emotional and practical assistance,' broadening the types of support covered by the program.

REQUIREMENT

The application process, selection criteria, and published list of approved providers all now include peer support teams alongside mental health providers.

TECHNICAL

The bill's explanatory statement (a non-binding summary of purpose) was removed in the reprint version, which is a standard formatting practice.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee

upper

2 primary · 3 co-sponsors