Veterans (Veteran Mental Health)

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4455: Permits DVA to receive voluntary contributions for veteran suicide prevention public service announcements.

This bill allows New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to accept voluntary donations, grants, or gifts from the public or private sectors specifically for creating veteran suicide prevention public service announcements (PSAs). Funds received under this bill must be deposited into a special nonlapsing fund managed by the State Treasurer. These funds can only be used to produce and distribute PSAs aimed at preventing veteran suicide, with no other purposes permitted. The bill directly affects the DVA's ability to secure external funding for this targeted prevention effort, benefiting veterans through expanded public awareness campaigns.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill enables DVA to fund veteran suicide prevention PSAs via voluntary contributions, directly supporting veteran healthcare needs and suicide prevention efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4056: Requires DVA establish Veterans Outdoor Recovery Task Force.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to create a Veterans Outdoor Recovery Task Force. The task force, led by DVA and Environmental Protection commissioners, will identify barriers to using public outdoor spaces for veteran mental health treatment and develop recommendations to improve access. It must hold public hearings statewide, coordinate with land agencies, and submit findings to the legislature and governor within 18 months. The policy directly affects veterans - particularly those with PTSD, as cited by the bill - by aiming to expand outdoor therapy options as part of their recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates task force to identify barriers and improve access to outdoor mental health treatment for veterans, directly supporting mental health services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates task force to identify barriers and improve outdoor mental health treatment access for veterans, advancing healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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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 Feb 19, 2026

A 4171: Requires DVA conduct outcomes and efficacy study of veteran to veteran peer support helpline.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to conduct a two-year study on the effectiveness of the veteran-to-veteran peer support helpline (commonly called the "vet to vet hotline"). The study will analyze national suicide data and helpline records to evaluate how well the program prevents suicide, supports veterans in accessing mental health care, and serves those in crisis. The DVA must submit a report to the Legislature within six months of the study's completion and may propose new legislation to improve the helpline's services. The bill directly affects the DVA and the existing veteran support program, focusing on measurable outcomes rather than operational changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates study on veteran peer support helpline's effectiveness in preventing suicide and supporting mental health care access, directly advancing mental health services.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires DVA to study veteran helpline's efficacy in suicide prevention and mental health support, aiming to strengthen program effectiveness for veterans in crisis.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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

A 1912: Establishes and allocates funds for program to provide mental health services to veterans; appropriates $2 million.

This bill establishes a $2 million grant program to provide mental health services to New Jersey veterans. It directs the state's Adjutant General to fund qualified veterans organizations (like 501(c)(3) groups or federally chartered veterans service organizations, including specific New Jersey groups) to contract with licensed mental health professionals. The program aims to expand access to mental health care for veterans through these designated community partners. The $2 million appropriation comes directly from the state General Fund and takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $2 million to fund veteran mental health services, directly increasing state spending on essential public care programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2M for veteran mental health services via grants, expanding access to care through community partners as explicitly stated in the bill summary.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates $2M for veteran mental health services via grants to qualified orgs, directly expanding access to care per bill's explicit funding and purpose.95% confidence

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

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

A 1118: Authorizes proportional property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans having service-connected permanent disability; extends eligibility to veterans suffering from mental illness; establishes eligibility of property owned by disabled veteran with surviving partner for exemption.

This bill expands New Jersey's property tax exemption for veterans with service-connected disabilities. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans who have a permanent service-connected disability, including mental illness (previously excluded), and their surviving partners. The key change adds mental illness as a qualifying condition for a proportional property tax exemption based on the veteran's disability percentage (up to 100%). It also extends eligibility to surviving partners if the veteran developed a service-connected disability after death, allowing them to claim the exemption as if the veteran were still living. The exemption applies to the veteran's or surviving partner's primary residence, in addition to other existing property tax exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax exemption for disabled veterans, reducing their tax burden as fiscal relief for lower-income veterans with service-connected disabilities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds mental illness as qualifying condition for veteran property tax exemption, directly supporting mental health access under healthcare policy by expanding eligibility for service-connected disabilities.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands property tax exemption for veterans with disabilities, directly supporting property rights as defined in the housing topic by reducing tax burden on homeowners.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax exemption for veterans by adding mental illness as qualifying condition and extending eligibility to surviving partners, directly advancing benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Mental Health Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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

A 1440: Encourages expansion of community mental health programs to include mental health services to veterans; prohibits veterans from being denied county mental health services.

This bill requires New Jersey counties to expand community mental health programs to include mental health services specifically for veterans and prohibits denying veterans these services based solely on their military status. It amends existing law to explicitly list "Services for veterans" as a required component of community mental health centers and mandates that state funding for mental health services must cover veterans in need. Counties must refer veterans to the VA for eligibility determination while ensuring they receive county services during the wait, and cannot deny services due to veteran status or VA wait times. The bill directly affects veterans seeking mental health care and county mental health programs receiving state funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates expansion of mental health services to veterans, prohibits denial of services based on military status, and requires state funding coverage for veterans' mental health needs.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires NJ counties to expand mental health services for veterans, mandates state funding, prohibits denial based on military status - directly strengthens veteran healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3565: Establishes and allocates funds for program to provide mental health services to veterans; appropriates $2 million.

S 3565 establishes a state-funded program to provide mental health services to New Jersey veterans through grants to qualified organizations. It appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs, which will distribute funds to veterans' organizations (including tax-exempt groups and specific entities like the New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group) that contract with licensed mental health professionals. The bill requires grantees to provide mental health services directly to veterans, with the program taking effect immediately. This legislation directly affects veterans seeking mental health care and the eligible organizations administering the services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2M from General Fund for veterans' mental health services, directly funding a public program under state budget.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2M for veteran mental health services via grants to qualified providers, directly funding care access and expanding coverage for a specific healthcare need.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates $2M for state-funded mental health services to NJ veterans through grants to qualified organizations, directly funding veteran healthcare.95% confidence

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

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

A 644: Establishes Veterans Suicide Prevention Commission.

This bill establishes the Veterans Suicide Prevention Commission under New Jersey's "Veterans Suicide Prevention Commission Act" to coordinate state efforts in preventing veteran suicides. The commission, composed of 12 members including veterans, mental health experts, military representatives, and family members, will review state agency programs, improve coordination between departments, and track progress on suicide prevention initiatives. It directly affects New Jersey veterans, service members, and their families by aiming to strengthen existing support systems through better collaboration. The commission will focus on aligning services for veterans' transition to civilian life, mental health care, and community resources without creating new programs. The bill requires the commission to hold at least six meetings annually and report on its activities to improve suicide prevention outcomes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes commission to coordinate mental health services for veterans, directly advancing suicide prevention initiatives under healthcare policy.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes Veterans Suicide Prevention Commission to coordinate state efforts, improve suicide prevention initiatives, and enhance veteran healthcare coordination, directly advancing veterans' mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3436: "Combat to College Act"; grants priority course registration to military service members and veterans attending public institutions of higher education.

The "Combat to College Act" (S 3436) grants priority course registration at New Jersey public colleges and universities to military service members (on active duty) and veterans who live in New Jersey and attend these institutions. It defines "veteran" as someone honorably discharged from active duty and requires institutions to offer this priority using the same procedures applied to other student groups with registration preferences. The policy takes effect immediately for the first full academic year after enactment. This change directly affects New Jersey-resident military students and veterans seeking to enroll in public higher education courses.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for veterans via priority course registration at public institutions, directly enhancing educational access for a specific group.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransGrants priority course registration to NJ veterans at public colleges, expanding educational benefits and support per bill's explicit provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Mental Health

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