Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4694: Requires prescription drug coverage for serious mental illness without prior authorization or utilization management, including step therapy.

This bill requires insurance carriers in New Jersey to cover prescription drugs for serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD without requiring prior authorization or step therapy. It directly affects individuals with these conditions who need mental health coverage through health plans, ensuring they can access necessary medications without unnecessary administrative hurdles. The law also mandates that insurers report annually on how they develop medical necessity criteria for mental health and substance use disorder treatments, increasing transparency in coverage decisions. Additionally, carriers must provide information about in-plan exceptions when qualified providers are not available in their network.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for serious mental illness medications without prior authorization, improving patient access and protecting healthcare rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SJR 97: Designates calendar week that includes September 10th of each year as "Suicide Prevention Week" in NJ.

This bill designates the week containing September 10th each year as "Suicide Prevention Week" in New Jersey. It requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the week with awareness activities and programs. The resolution aims to raise visibility for suicide prevention efforts and reduce stigma around mental health issues without changing any laws or funding. It directly affects state officials who will issue proclamations and community members who may participate in awareness events.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates Suicide Prevention Week to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health, directly supporting mental health services and public health initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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

A 4758: Directs Dept. of Agriculture to post certain information to assist distressed farmers on its Internet website.

This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to prominently display suicide prevention resources and support services for distressed farmers on its official website homepage. The legislation mandates a clearly visible link to the state's Suicide Prevention Hotline and an icon linking to a comprehensive page listing mental health, disaster, legal, and financial assistance options. This measure aims to improve access to help for agricultural workers facing economic and emotional challenges by making these resources easily findable online. The changes take effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates posting suicide prevention resources and mental health assistance for distressed farmers, directly improving access to mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Tags Agriculture

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 4535: Authorizes provision of residential mental health services in residential substance use disorders treatment facility or program under specified hospital affiliation and clinical support criteria.

This bill allows licensed residential substance use disorder treatment facilities in New Jersey to offer residential mental health services, provided they have a formal contractual agreement with a hospital that offers psychiatric or medical support. The law requires these facilities to maintain joint clinical governance, shared treatment protocols, 24-hour psychiatric and medical consultation availability, and clear procedures for transferring patients to inpatient care when needed. Facilities must file their hospital affiliation agreements with the Department of Health and follow existing state regulations for residential mental health treatment. The measure aims to create a structured pathway for treating individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in a sub-acute residential setting that bridges inpatient hospitalization and outpatient care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to mental health services by allowing substance use disorder facilities to offer residential mental health care with proper clinical support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4596: Establishes task force to examine public school programs and services designed to address student mental health.

This bill creates the Task Force on Student Mental Health in New Jersey to study mental health issues affecting public school students, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. The 16-member task force includes state officials, educators, parents, and public members with relevant expertise, who will examine current programs and recommend ways to improve access to mental health care services. The group will review topics like student identification, counseling expansion, school safety connections, funding needs, and successful programs from other states, then submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of organizing. The task force will operate without compensation for members but may receive reimbursement for necessary expenses, and it will dissolve 30 days after issuing its report.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates task force to examine and improve student mental health programs, expanding access to counseling and support services in public schools.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates task force to examine and improve student mental health services, indicating intent to strengthen mental health care access in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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

A 1938: Establishes one New Jersey Suicide Prevention Advisory Council in DOH.

This bill establishes the New Jersey Suicide Prevention Advisory Council within the Department of Health and requires public school teaching staff (including teachers, school nurses, and athletic trainers) to complete two hours of annual suicide prevention training from licensed mental health professionals. It mandates confidential reporting of suspected youth suicide attempts or deaths by school staff, mental health professionals, and certain other designated personnel to the Department of Health, with protections for reporters' immunity from liability. The law defines key terms like "suicide attempt" and "youth" (under 24), and creates a system for aggregating non-identifying data to inform annual reports. The bill directly affects school staff, healthcare providers, and school administrators in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates suicide prevention training for school staff and confidential reporting to enhance mental health services within public health framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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

A 2419: Requires assisted living residences and certain facilities under DCA, DCF, and DHS to be equipped with standby emergency power generators.

This bill requires specific residential facilities in New Jersey to install standby emergency power generators to maintain operations during power outages. It directly affects psychiatric community homes for children, residential child care facilities, assisted living residences, and community residences for people with disabilities or mental illness. Facilities already operating must install generators within 90 days of the law's effective date, while new facilities must have them from the start. The bill also mandates regular testing and maintenance of these generators, with each relevant state department (Children's Services, Health, Human Services) developing implementation rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires generators for psychiatric, disability, and mental health facilities to maintain operations during outages, ensuring continuity of care for vulnerable populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3286: "College Mental Health Services Act"; establishes grant program for public institutions of higher education and requires public institutions of higher education to report certain information concerning mental health treatment and suicides.

This bill establishes a grant program to help New Jersey public colleges improve student access to mental health services. It requires public colleges to use grant funds for hiring staff, reducing wait times, expanding services, and raising awareness about mental health resources. Colleges must also publicly report semester-by-semester data on student-to-professional ratios, appointment volumes, wait times, and referrals, plus annually report student suicide attempts and completions to the state. The program is funded through state appropriations, private donations, and federal grants, with reporting starting after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grants for college mental health services, requiring improved access, staffing, and reporting - directly enhances student support in higher education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes grants for college mental health services, mandates improved access/staffing, and requires reporting - directly advancing mental health care access in healthcare context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Mental Health

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

A 4291: Requires DOC to provide reunification therapy to inmates and immediate family members prior to inmate's release.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Corrections (DOC) to offer reunification therapy sessions to inmates scheduled for release within six months, and to inform those with nine months until release about this option. The therapy sessions must involve the inmate participating virtually while immediate family members attend in person at approved locations like mental health provider offices or nonprofit reentry centers. If family members decline to participate, the DOC must still provide individual counseling to the inmate. The bill also mandates DOC to seek supplemental funding from private or federal sources and provide inmates with information about post-release support programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reunification therapy to aid post-release reintegration, reducing recidivism through family support - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates DOC to provide mental health reunification therapy, expanding access to mental health services for inmates and families through approved providers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Mental Health

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

A 437: Requires public schools that offer student psychological services to offer remote sessions.

This bill requires New Jersey public schools (including district, charter, and renaissance schools) that employ school psychologists and offer in-person counseling to students in grades K-12 to also provide remote counseling sessions as an option. Schools must allow students to attend sessions remotely unless a school psychologist determines in-person counseling is necessary for the student's well-being. Students retain the right to choose in-person sessions if they prefer, and the bill defines "school psychologist" as someone holding a specific New Jersey certification. The law takes effect immediately for the next full school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates remote psychological services in K-12 schools, expanding student access to mental health support without restricting in-person options, directly advancing educational access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates remote mental health counseling in schools, expanding student access to psychological services as part of healthcare support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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