Requires Division of Child Protection and Permanency to develop suicide screening and crisis response training for caseworkers.

This bill (A6042) requires New Jersey's Division of Child Protection and Permanency to create mandatory suicide screening and crisis response training for its caseworkers. The training will teach caseworkers to recognize suicide warning signs in children using validated tools, respond to at-risk youth with immediate de-escalation techniques, and coordinate care with mental health providers and schools. All current and new caseworkers must complete this training as part of initial hiring and biennially thereafter, with existing staff required to finish within 24 months of the bill's effective date. The division must also periodically update the training to maintain effectiveness.