S 1374 requires New Jersey school districts to employ at least one full-time school psychologist per school, with a maximum student-to-psychologist ratio of 500:1. This directly affects all public school students and school districts across New Jersey, mandating staffing levels aligned with national best practices. School districts must apply for federal funds to help implement these requirements. The law takes effect immediately but will first apply in the second full school year after enactment.
New Jersey's S 1123 requires all public and nonpublic schools to have at least one FDA-registered portable anti-choking device (a suction-based airway-clearing tool) available in cafeterias, school nurse offices, and similar locations during school hours and events. The devices must be unlocked, easily accessible, and marked with clear signage. Schools must train all nurses and staff in airway management and device use, while the state will reimburse schools for related costs. This bill directly affects school districts and nonpublic schools across New Jersey, aiming to improve emergency response to choking incidents.
S 1376 requires New Jersey public school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects that employ a school psychologist and offer in-person counseling to also provide virtual or remote counseling sessions for students in grades K-12. The bill mandates that schools permit remote sessions unless a school psychologist determines in-person counseling is necessary for a student's well-being. Students retain the right to choose in-person sessions if they prefer, and the law defines "school psychologist" as a certified professional with a New Jersey educational services certificate. This policy change ensures continued access to psychological services for students who cannot attend in-person sessions, such as due to health, transportation, or scheduling needs.
S 2243 requires every public college and university in New Jersey to create a menstrual equity task force within six months of the law's effective date. The task force, appointed by each institution's president and including diverse campus stakeholders (students, faculty, housing, health centers, etc.), must develop a detailed plan for free menstrual product access within six months. The plan must cover product needs, distribution locations, costs, and a 12-month implementation timeline. Institutions must implement the approved plan within one year, ensuring equal access to menstrual products while reducing stigma. The bill defines "menstrual equity" as removing barriers to care and addressing stigma around menstruation.
S 1294 amends New Jersey's crime compensation law to allow victims of certain sexual offenses to qualify for financial assistance from the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) without having reported the crime to police. Specifically, it removes the police report requirement for victims who received forensic medical services (like rape exams) through a county sexual assault response team within nine months of the offense - covering aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, or related crimes. This directly affects victims who chose not to report to law enforcement but sought medical care through designated response teams. The change ensures these victims can access compensation for medical, counseling, or other eligible expenses without needing a police report. The bill does not alter other eligibility rules, such as the five-year filing limit or the $25,000 compensation cap.
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.
This bill prohibits New Jersey law enforcement and automated license plate reader (ALPR) operators from sharing ALPR data with other states for investigations targeting people seeking or providing reproductive health care services that are legal in New Jersey (including pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion). It requires out-of-state law enforcement agencies to provide written assurance they won’t use the data for such investigations before NJ agencies share information. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects NJ law enforcement agencies, ALPR operators, and out-of-state agencies seeking to investigate legal reproductive health services.
This bill establishes the "Cop 2 Cop Sustainability Fund" to provide stable, ongoing funding for a confidential 24-hour crisis hotline supporting New Jersey law enforcement officers and sheriff's officers. It appropriates $500,000 annually from the General Fund starting in fiscal year 2025 to sustain the existing "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" program, which currently receives $400,000 from Body Armor Replacement Funds. The hotline offers confidential peer support for officers experiencing psychological stress, trauma, or emotional distress related to their work. Operators must be trained in law enforcement-specific mental health issues, and the program ensures caller confidentiality while allowing limited tracking for severe cases. The fund will also accept additional revenues from other sources to support the program's long-term operation.
S 850 establishes a $5 million grant program within New Jersey's Department of Health to help health care professional students repay loans or tuition. The program provides grants to qualified recruitment servicers who partner with hospitals and educational institutions, requiring hospitals to match grant funds at 200% and students to commit to three years of work at partner hospitals. It directly affects health care students (capping assistance at $10,000 yearly or $30,000 total), hospitals providing employment, and recruitment servicers managing the program. The bill specifies eligibility, application requirements, and administrative details for distributing funds to support health care workforce retention.
This bill establishes new licensing requirements for emergency medical responders (EMRs) and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and creates certification standards for mobility assistance vehicle operators. It directly affects EMS professionals, ambulance services, and providers of non-emergency medical transportation for individuals with disabilities. Key provisions include setting minimum staffing rules for different transport units (like mobile intensive care units and basic life support vehicles), requiring all crew members to hold valid licenses or certifications, and defining specific roles like "mobility assistance vehicle operator." The bill also clarifies that non-emergency transport providers must be licensed to serve patients who need medical transportation but do not require ambulance-level care.
