Creates behavioral health court pilot program.
New Jersey's S 2038 creates a pilot program for behavioral health courts, allowing eligible defendants to receive court-ordered treatment instead of prison sentences. The bill applies to individuals convicted of non-violent offenses who need behavioral health services (e.g., mental health or substance abuse treatment), have no prior violent convictions, and meet specific criteria like not possessing firearms during the offense. Courts must order participants into licensed treatment programs and monitor compliance, with probation revoked for violations (permanent revocation after a second violation). The program is limited to counties/municipalities that apply and operates as a pilot in at least two counties and five municipalities.
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 in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Vince Polistina
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about S 2038
Scope: NJ
Hi! I can help you understand S 2038. 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