Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5186: Establishes County-Based School Security Pilot Program in DOE; appropriates $15 million.

This bill creates a three-year pilot program in Essex, Mercer, and Camden counties to enhance school safety and student mental health support. The initiative provides $15 million in funding to deliver clinical mental health services, such as counseling and crisis intervention, alongside security upgrades like active shooter training and protective equipment. Implementation requires collaboration between the Department of Education and other state agencies, with district selection based on reported violence and bullying data. At the end of the pilot period, the Commissioner of Education must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature to evaluate the program's effectiveness.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $15M to enhance school safety and mental health services, directly strengthening the educational environment.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $15M to fund clinical mental health services and crisis intervention in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4236: Establishes comprehensive school-based violence prevention grant program to help youth at highest risk of involvement in gun violence; appropriates $1 million.

This bill creates a new grant program in New Jersey to help school districts prevent gun violence among high-risk youth by funding evidence-based prevention strategies. To qualify, a school district must be located in an area with a high rate of homicides or violent crime, and the funds are intended to support programs that involve collaboration with community partners like mentors and mental health professionals. The $1 million appropriation allows districts to use the money for activities such as trauma healing, conflict resolution training, and connecting students with trusted adults. Additionally, the bill requires districts that receive funding to submit annual reports detailing how they utilized the grant money.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $1 million to fund a new grant program for violence prevention, directly increasing government spending on public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds violence prevention and mental health support for at-risk youth, addressing root causes of crime and reducing future criminal justice involvement.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $1M to fund violence prevention programs in schools, enhancing student safety and educational access.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds mental health professionals and evidence-based prevention strategies for high-risk youth, directly supporting healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Firearms Violent Crime School Safety Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SJR 147: Designates May of each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month."

Senate Joint Resolution 147 designates the month of May each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month" in New Jersey to honor mothers who have lost children. The bill requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation to encourage public officials and citizens to observe the month with awareness activities and programs. This symbolic designation aims to raise visibility about the mental health challenges associated with child loss and to promote support for grieving mothers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes mental health awareness for grieving mothers, aligning with support for mental health services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4394: Establishes Veteran's Treatment Court Program.

This bill establishes a new Veterans Treatment Court Program in New Jersey to provide specialized judicial supervision and clinical care for veterans with serious charges who do not qualify for existing diversion programs. The program is designed to address crimes linked to untreated trauma, such as PTSD or substance use disorders, by creating a second track that operates alongside the current prosecutor-led diversion system. Eligible participants will be assigned to a specialized court docket in three regions, where they must complete structured treatment plans involving mental health professionals and an interdisciplinary team. While the bill expands access to support for justice-involved veterans, it explicitly excludes individuals charged with severe violent crimes like murder or aggravated sexual assault from participation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a specialized court program to treat veterans with trauma-related crimes, enhancing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a program providing clinical care and judicial supervision for veterans with trauma-related issues, directly advancing mental health services.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a specialized court program to provide clinical care and judicial supervision for veterans with trauma-related charges, directly advancing veteran services and support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4989: Makes supplemental appropriation of $1 million to DVA for suicide prevention training for personnel at State-run veterans' facilities.

This bill allocates $1 million from the state's General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs for suicide prevention training. The money will be used specifically to train staff at state-run Veterans' Haven facilities, which provide transitional housing for veterans. By funding this training, the legislation aims to equip facility personnel with the skills needed to better support residents and address suicide risks. The funding is designated under the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1 million from the General Fund to fund suicide prevention training for veterans, directly increasing funding for a public service.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $1M to fund suicide prevention training for veterans' facility staff, directly strengthening mental health services and patient safety.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allocates $1M to fund suicide prevention training for veterans' facility staff, directly strengthening veteran support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Mental Health Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4897: Establishes "New Jersey Holistic Representation Model" in Office of Public Defender.

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Holistic Representation Model" statewide within the Office of the Public Defender to expand a pilot program that previously operated in three counties. The law requires each regional office to form teams for eligible clients that pair a public defender attorney with a non-attorney client services specialist. These specialists are tasked with connecting individuals to resources for mental health, substance abuse, housing, employment, and other life challenges while attorneys focus on legal defense. The act also mandates the creation of databases to track community resources and requires all team members to maintain client confidentiality.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands holistic representation to address root causes like mental health and housing, reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates pairing public defenders with specialists to connect clients to mental health and substance abuse resources, directly advancing healthcare access.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates connecting clients to housing resources as part of holistic representation, directly addressing housing needs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4123: Requires involuntary commitment of certain individuals who have been administered opioid antidotes.

This bill amends New Jersey law to automatically classify individuals who receive opioid overdose antidotes as 'dangerous to self,' thereby making them eligible for involuntary commitment to treatment. The change directly affects people treated for apparent opioid overdoses by linking emergency medical intervention to mental health commitment criteria. Under the new provisions, anyone administered an opioid antidote would be deemed unable to meet their own basic needs, which is one of the conditions required to force them into psychiatric care without their consent.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts patient access to care by mandating involuntary commitment based on antidote administration, limiting autonomy and emergency treatment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 28, 2026

A 5137: Establishes State-funded roster of mental health professionals to perform competency evaluations in criminal cases; makes appropriation.

This bill creates a state-funded roster of mental health professionals in New Jersey to conduct competency evaluations for criminal defendants who may be unfit to stand trial. It requires judges to select evaluators from this pre-approved list, which includes private practitioners and Department of Human Services staff, unless all parties agree to a different professional. The legislation also establishes a specific program administered by the Administrative Director of the Courts to manage the roster and ensures that defendants are not unnecessarily hospitalized during the evaluation process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly mandates a state appropriation to fund a roster of mental health professionals, directly increasing government spending for public services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a state-funded roster for competency evaluations, ensuring fair access to mental health resources and protecting defendants' rights within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a state-funded roster of mental health professionals and mandates funding for competency evaluations, directly expanding access to mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4114: Authorizes physician assistants in behavioral health care to provide procedures and services without supervision.

This bill allows physician assistants working in behavioral health care to provide procedures and services without the direct supervision of a physician. It directly affects licensed physician assistants in New Jersey who treat patients for mental illness, emotional disorders, or substance use issues. The key change removes the requirement for a supervising physician when these professionals deliver care in settings like hospitals, clinics, or veterans' homes. Additionally, the law mandates that physician assistants maintain medical malpractice insurance or a letter of credit and clearly identify themselves to patients during treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes supervision barriers for physician assistants in behavioral health, improving patient access to mental health services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill removes supervision barriers for PAs in behavioral health, including veterans' homes, improving access to mental health care for veterans.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4136: Establishes "Support for Students Exposed to Domestic Violence Fund" in DOE to support public schools in addressing impact of domestic violence.

This bill creates a permanent fund within the New Jersey Department of Education to help public schools support students affected by domestic violence. The fund will be financed through annual state appropriations, federal grants, and other available money, which can be used to provide therapy and trauma-informed mental health services in schools. Additionally, the money may help districts identify resources for unmet student needs and fund the hiring and training of mental health staff. Schools that receive these funds must report to the Department of Education on how the money is spent, while the department determines how to distribute the money among districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a permanent fund and mandates annual state appropriations to support student mental health services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a dedicated fund to provide mental health services and support for students affected by domestic violence, enhancing student well-being and educational access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a fund to provide therapy and mental health services for students, directly advancing healthcare access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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