Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for screening, prevention, and treatment services of behavioral health issues affecting children.
This bill (A5052) requires New Jersey health insurers, Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare), and state health benefit programs to cover screening, prevention, and treatment services for children's behavioral health issues without requiring a formal mental health diagnosis. It establishes "at-risk diagnosis" as a billing mechanism, allowing providers to use Social Determinants of Health Z-codes (instead of standard mental health codes) for preventive care based on factors like family circumstances. Coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical services for children under 18. The law applies to all health plans, Medicaid contracts, and state employee health programs effective 90 days after enactment.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2024
Committee Review
Dec 2025
General Assembly Passage
Dec 2025
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
Governor
Introduced Dec 9, 2024
Last action Jan 12, 2026
Floor votes · General Assembly Dec 22, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
7
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Jan 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Passed Both Houses) (39-0)
upper
Dec 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed Assembly (60-5-9)
lower
Dec 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading
lower
Dec 11, 2025
Committee
Reported and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
lower
Dec 9, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee
lower
5 primary · 16 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Andrea Katz
DDemocratic
P
Joe Vitale
DDemocratic
P
Linda Carter
DDemocratic
P
Nick Scutari
DDemocratic
P
Rosy Bagolie
DDemocratic
Co
Andrew Zwicker
DDemocratic
Co
Angela McKnight
DDemocratic
Co
Avi Schnall
DDemocratic
Co
Britnee Timberlake
DDemocratic
Co
Dave Bailey
DDemocratic
Co
Linda Greenstein
DDemocratic
Co
Lisa Swain
DDemocratic
Co
Luanne Peterpaul
DDemocratic
Co
Margie Donlon
DDemocratic
Co
Patrick Diegnan
DDemocratic
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