Healthcare

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

A 918: Establishes professional licensure and certification for tobacco treatment counseling.

New Jersey's bill A 918 proposes establishing professional licensure and certification standards for tobacco treatment counselors. It would create two new credentials: "Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist" (requiring a high school diploma plus specific training/experience) and "Licensed Clinical Tobacco Treatment Specialist" (requiring a master's degree plus certification). The bill sets concrete requirements including education hours, supervised practical training, and a national exam administered by the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence. This directly affects current and future tobacco treatment counselors seeking to practice legally in New Jersey, ensuring they meet standardized education, ethics, and competency criteria.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensure standards for tobacco treatment counselors, strengthening professional qualifications in healthcare services related to addiction treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

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

A 2143: Establishes restrictions on designation of new trauma centers.

This bill (A 2143) restricts the designation of new trauma centers in New Jersey by prohibiting the Commissioner of Health from issuing a "certificate of need" for any facility within 15 miles of an existing trauma center. It also requires the Commissioner to seek recommendations from the newly established State Trauma System Advisory Committee (STSAC) before requesting applications for new trauma center designations. The STSAC, composed of trauma care providers, emergency services representatives, and medical experts, must analyze trauma data and develop a statewide trauma system plan within one year. This directly affects hospitals seeking trauma center status, aiming to prevent redundant facilities and improve resource distribution across the state.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts new trauma center designations within 15 miles of existing facilities, limiting patient access to trauma care services.90% confidence

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

A 4331: Requires health insurers, SHBP, SEHBP, and NJ FamilyCare coverage for sign language interpreter services for covered individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

New Jersey Assembly Bill A4331 requires health insurers, the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), State Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP), and NJ FamilyCare to cover sign language interpreter services during medical visits for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The bill mandates coverage for qualified interpreters (certified by New Jersey or accredited bodies) or video remote interpretation when in-person services aren’t available, upon patient request. It prohibits using family or friends as interpreters unless they’re certified, consented to by the patient, or in specific cases like minor children with parental consent - excluding domestic violence or suspected child abuse situations. This policy directly affects deaf/hard of hearing patients accessing healthcare and requires insurers to provide this coverage "to the same extent as for any other condition" under their plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coverage for sign language interpreters in medical visits, expanding access to healthcare for deaf/hard-of-hearing individuals and improving patient communication access.95% confidence

Track

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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires campus access to naloxone for opioid overdoses, expanding emergency healthcare access and protecting lives during public health crisis.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Substance Abuse

Track

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

Track

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2305: Permits boards of education to lease certain school property to federally qualified health centers without bidding.

This bill would allow New Jersey school boards to lease unused school property to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) without requiring competitive bidding or public advertisements, instead permitting private agreements for a nominal fee. It specifically adds FQHCs to the list of eligible entities that can receive such leases under existing exemptions. The bill also requires that if an FQHC shares a school building with students, its facilities must be in a separate, distinct area from student spaces, as permitted by federal law. Leases exceeding five years would still require approval from the Commissioner of Education.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves bidding barriers for FQHCs to lease school property, directly improving healthcare access by enabling expanded community health services in underserved areas.92% confidence

Track

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

A 1462: "Michelle's Law"; requires health benefit plans to cover mammogram for an individual if recommended by health care provider.

Michelle's Law requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover mammograms when a healthcare provider recommends them. It mandates baseline mammograms for women at age 40, annual mammograms for women 40 and older, and coverage for women under 40 with breast cancer risk factors (like family history) based on provider recommendation. The law also requires coverage for additional tests like ultrasounds or MRIs if needed due to dense breast tissue, abnormal results, or other risk factors. This applies to all health insurance contracts, including those allowing premium changes, without limiting coverage for other medical conditions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for recommended mammograms including baseline at 40, annual screenings, and additional tests for high-risk cases, expanding patient access to preventive care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

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

Track