Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1420: Establishes Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Addiction Services.

This bill establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Addiction Services within New Jersey's Department of the Treasury (though operating separately from it). The office directly serves residents with mental illness or addiction by helping them access treatment, ensuring proper care in facilities, providing counseling and job support, and educating the public about substance use disorders. The Governor appoints a qualified ombudsman who must annually report to the Human Services Commissioner, Governor, and Legislature on services provided and recommendations. The bill creates a dedicated resource to support individuals navigating mental health and addiction services across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates independent ombudsman office to improve mental health/access, ensure proper care, and provide counseling/job support - directly advancing mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3049: Establishes Train the Trainer Program for Student Wellbeing in DOE; appropriates $1 million.

This bill establishes a Train the Trainer Program within New Jersey's Department of Education to prepare educators to lead school-wide mental health training for teachers and staff. It appropriates $1 million to fund the program, which will teach evidence-based methods like trauma-informed approaches, recognizing mental health challenges, restorative practices, and crisis de-escalation. The program requires training on topics including fostering positive school climates, addressing bullying, and accessing mental health resources - though school districts may choose not to participate. The Commissioner of Education must annually evaluate the program and report on its effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature within three years.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $1M for DOE mental health training program to support educators, aligning with funding and strengthening school wellbeing initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds $1M Train the Trainer Program for school mental health training (trauma-informed approaches, crisis de-escalation), directly supporting mental health services in education per healthcare topic definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1759: Establishes pilot program to create student mental health assistance programs in selected school districts.

This bill establishes a four-year pilot program for up to 15 New Jersey school districts to create confidential mental health assistance programs for students in grades K-12. The programs will identify students facing mental health challenges (including those related to family, school, or personal issues), provide voluntary counseling and support services, and connect students with community resources - all while maintaining strict confidentiality. Districts must apply with funding plans, and participating schools will track student participation and outcomes. After the pilot, the state will evaluate the program’s effectiveness and recommend whether to expand it statewide.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes confidential mental health programs for K-12 students, enhancing support services and access to care, directly advancing educational well-being indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes school-based mental health programs providing confidential counseling and resource connections, directly advancing mental health services for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1281: Requires school districts to include instruction on risks associated with social media and cell phone addiction in grades 6 through 12.

This bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to teach students in grades 6 through 12 about the responsible use of social media and cell phones, including risks like addiction, cyberbullying, and negative impacts on mental health. It expands current requirements (which only covered grades 6-8 in technology classes) by mandating this instruction within the health education curriculum for all grades 6-12. The curriculum must cover responsible platform use, cyber safety, and the specific consequences of irresponsible use, such as harm to mental health and relationships. School districts must use resources provided by the state education commissioner to implement these lessons.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates expanded curriculum on digital wellness in K-12 health education, enhancing student education about social media risks and mental health impacts.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health education in school curriculum addressing addiction impacts, supporting mental health awareness as part of healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1367: Concerns diversion from criminal prosecution for persons with mental illness under certain circumstances.

This bill requires New Jersey law enforcement officers to complete mental health crisis training (CIT-NJ) and establishes a process to redirect people experiencing mental health crises away from criminal prosecution. Officers may divert individuals to mental health screening services instead of filing charges for non-violent incidents, with a presumption against criminal complaints when treatment is available. It mandates county-level coordination between law enforcement, courts, and mental health providers to identify resources for timely diversion. The law applies to all uniformed patrol officers and affects individuals with mental illness who might otherwise face criminal charges for non-violent behavior.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects mental health crisis cases from prosecution to treatment, reducing criminalization and promoting rehabilitation per bill's diversion mandate.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects mental health crisis cases to treatment instead of prosecution, strengthening mental health service access and coordination per bill's diversion mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health Public Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 905: Regulates residential mental health treatment facilities.

This bill (A 905) establishes new licensing and operational standards for residential mental health treatment facilities in New Jersey. It requires these facilities to provide 24/7 structured care consistent with clinical best practices, focus on helping patients transition to lower-level community care, and prohibit retrospective reviews of medical necessity. Facilities must obtain a license from the Commissioner of Health, meet specific ownership and compliance standards, and cannot operate at the same location as substance use treatment programs. The bill directly affects residential mental health facilities, their patients, and operators by creating a formal licensing process and defining clear operational requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing standards for mental health facilities, mandates 24/7 care, prohibits retrospective medical necessity reviews, and promotes patient transition to community care - strengthening mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2129: Clarifies procedures in certain contested child custody cases.

This bill clarifies New Jersey's child custody procedures by requiring courts to prioritize a child's expressed preferences (when age-appropriate) and consider recommendations from the child's licensed mental health professional when making custody decisions. It also imposes strict conditions before courts can order "reunification therapy" (family therapy to reconnect estranged parents and children), requiring scientific evidence of its safety and effectiveness, plus the child's willingness to participate. The bill affects courts, parents, and children in contested custody cases by mandating specific record-keeping for custody arrangements not agreed upon by parents and adding weight to the child's voice. It does not change existing custody factors but refines how courts must weigh certain considerations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires courts to consider licensed mental health professionals' recommendations and mandates scientific evidence for therapy, supporting evidence-based mental health services in custody cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4316: Requires emergency shelters for the homeless to admit certain persons unless they pose danger.

This bill requires New Jersey emergency shelters for the homeless to admit individuals regardless of whether they: have a mental illness, are substance-dependent, are not taking prescribed medication, or consumed alcohol off-site. It directly affects homeless individuals who face barriers based on these characteristics. Shelters may still refuse admission only if someone poses a danger to self, others, or property, or if legally authorized. The law does not prevent shelters from prohibiting drug/alcohol use on their premises. This expands existing protections that previously only covered mental illness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates shelters admit individuals with mental illness/substance dependence, removing barriers to shelter access and aligning with mental health care access protections.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates shelters admit homeless individuals regardless of mental health/substance use, advancing access to housing for vulnerable populations by removing barriers to shelter access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 813: Requires DMVA assist discharged service members who have diagnosed service-connected mental health condition with petitions to change discharge designation.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) to help former service members with specific discharge statuses - such as "other than honorable," "bad conduct," or "dishonorable" - who have been diagnosed with a service-connected mental health condition. The DMVA must provide no-fee assistance with federal forms to petition for a discharge redesignation to "honorable," create uniform processes, and keep all information confidential. If successful, these individuals gain the same state rights, privileges, and benefits as those honorably discharged. The bill expands existing DMVA support (previously limited to cases tied to sexual orientation or gender identity) to include mental health-related discharges, defined as conditions linked to military service per medical standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAssists veterans with service-connected mental health conditions to access VA benefits via discharge redesignation, directly supporting mental health service access and removing barriers to care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill assists veterans with service-connected mental health conditions to obtain honorable discharge redesignations, removing employment barriers and protecting workers' rights to fair employment opportunities.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAssists veterans with service-connected mental health conditions to obtain honorable discharge redesignations, enabling access to full VA benefits and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

AJR 106: Designates September 22nd of each year as "Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day."

AJR 106 designates September 22nd each year as "Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day" in New Jersey. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about the high suicide rates among veterans and active military members - citing over 65,000 veteran and active-duty suicides since 2010 - and reduce stigma around mental health treatment. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance through activities that honor those who died by suicide and support affected families. This ceremonial resolution does not create new programs or funding but seeks to foster community recognition of a critical public health issue affecting military service members.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces stigma around mental health treatment, aligning with support for mental health services per bill summary.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates Veterans Suicide Awareness Day to reduce stigma, honor veterans, and promote mental health recognition - directly advancing veteran well-being through awareness and remembrance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health Memorials & Recognition Veteran Mental Health

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