Healthcare (Substance Abuse) in New Jersey

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

A 1088: Establishes Overdose Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board.

This bill (A 1088) establishes the Overdose Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board in New Jersey to analyze cases involving overdose deaths or serious medical conditions caused by controlled substances. The board, composed of 13 members including state health and law enforcement officials plus public representatives, will confidentially review each case to identify causes, patterns, risk factors, and gaps in prevention services. It will maintain a secure master file with basic case details (like age and circumstances) while protecting victim identities, and issue reports with recommendations to improve responses across government agencies. The board’s work aims to inform policies targeting substance use disorder and reduce future overdose incidents.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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

A 863: Requires parents and guardians be provided access medical records of minor patients.

New Jersey's bill A 863 requires health care providers to give parents or guardians access to a minor's medical records without needing the minor's permission for most health care. However, it excludes records related to specific confidential treatments, such as care for sexually transmitted infections, HIV, substance abuse, or mental health, where the minor's consent to treatment is kept private. The law applies to unemancipated minors under 18 and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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

A 1823: Requires NJT to establish pilot program to supply certain light rail train sets with opioid antidotes; makes appropriation of $100,000.

This bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to launch a two-year pilot program on light rail trains operating in southern New Jersey, supplying each train set with opioid antidotes (like naloxone) and installing secure storage with silent alerts that notify operators when accessed. NJT must stock at least two doses per train, maintain clear bilingual signage with overdose recognition and emergency contact info, and track antidote usage without requiring staff to administer the antidote or undergo specialized training. The program is funded by a $100,000 appropriation from the General Fund, and NJT must report on its effectiveness within six months of the pilot’s end to decide on a potential statewide expansion. The bill directly affects NJT operations, staff, and passengers on southern light rail routes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Substance Abuse

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

A 2392: Establishes annual fee for sports wagering licensees; directs funds from such fees to Council on Compulsive Gambling and gambling addiction treatment programs.

This bill requires sports wagering businesses in New Jersey to pay an additional $250,000 annual fee on top of existing license costs. The funds are split, with $140,000 directed to the Council on Compulsive Gambling and $110,000 allocated to evidence-based gambling addiction treatment programs. It directly affects all licensed sports wagering operators in the state. The fee aims to support prevention, education, and treatment services for problem gambling, as specified in the bill's funding allocation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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

A 3140: Requires school districts to provide instruction on risks of compulsive gambling as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

This bill requires New Jersey public school districts with grades 9-12 to include lessons on compulsive gambling risks within their required health education curriculum. The instruction must cover gambling addiction dangers, financial risks, and probability concepts. The state education commissioner will provide sample lesson materials and develop teacher training on identifying gambling issues and treatment resources. Implementation begins the school year after the next state curriculum review, not immediately.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers Substance Abuse

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3480: Establishes Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Addiction Services.

S 3480 establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Addiction Services within the Department of the Treasury (though separate from department oversight) to directly support individuals with mental illness and addiction. The Governor will appoint a qualified Ombudsman to help people find treatment, ensure proper care in facilities, provide confidential counseling and job guidance, and educate about substance use disorders. The Ombudsman must keep communications confidential and issue annual reports to the Governor, Legislature, and Human Services Commissioner, summarizing services and recommending improvements to state mental health and addiction programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3324: Requires institutions of higher education to maintain supply and develop policy governing use of naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for opioid overdose emergencies.

This bill requires New Jersey public and independent colleges and universities to maintain a supply of naloxone nasal spray (used to reverse opioid overdoses) in secure, accessible campus locations. Institutions must develop a policy allowing trained staff - including resident assistants, security officers, and campus medical professionals - to administer naloxone in emergencies, and mandate transportation to a hospital after use. The policy must be created with guidance from the state’s Higher Education Secretary and Human Services Commissioner, and all staff administering naloxone must complete required training. The bill directly affects campus communities, particularly students and staff who may witness or respond to opioid overdoses.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Substance Abuse

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 ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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 ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Curriculum Mental Health Substance Abuse

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

A 2124: Requires institutions of higher education to maintain supply of opioid antidotes and permits emergency administration of opioid antidote by campus medical professional or trained employee.

This bill requires New Jersey's public and independent colleges and universities to maintain a supply of opioid antidotes (like naloxone) in secure, accessible locations. Institutions must create a policy allowing licensed campus medical staff and trained employees to administer the antidote in good faith to anyone showing signs of an opioid overdose - including students, staff, or visitors - and mandate hospital transport after administration. The policy must include training on standardized protocols based on the state's Overdose Prevention Act. The bill also provides liability protection for good faith actions taken under these requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Substance Abuse

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