Requires DHS to establish two-year Regional Community Behavioral Health Pilot Program.
This bill establishes a two-year pilot program to improve coordination of behavioral health services in New Jersey. It requires the Department of Human Services to identify eligible patients with severe behavioral health disorders using Medicaid data, then contract with community providers to deliver coordinated care. Key mechanisms include mandatory needs assessments, "rapid referrals" for timely access to services, "warm hand-offs" between providers, and hiring service navigators to help patients access treatment. The program directly affects patients with severe mental health or substance use disorders who are identified through Medicaid claims. The pilot will operate across three regions of the state, with managed care organizations administering the program.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Last action Jan 13, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee
lower
2 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Anthony Verrelli
DDemocratic
P
Ellen Park
DDemocratic
Co
Joe Danielsen
DDemocratic
Co
Linda Carter
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about A 1788
Scope: NJ
Hi! I can help you understand A 1788. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline