Provides that institutions of higher education may permit final-year students in graduate degree programs for mental health care professions to graduate or be matched with residency or clinical programs early.

This bill allows New Jersey colleges and universities to let final-year graduate students in mental health care programs (like psychiatry, psychology, or social work) graduate early or start clinical residencies early during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years. To qualify, students must have completed all required coursework, and institutions must assign a staff mentor to guide them during clinical placements. It aims to address mental health workforce shortages amplified by the pandemic by accelerating the entry of trained professionals into the field. The measure applies only to institutions that choose to implement it, with no requirement for mandatory participation.