Criminal Justice

This bill establishes the Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services, appropriating $3 million to fund confidential mental health services. It directly affects law enforcement officers and their family members (defined as spouses, domestic partners, children, or parents living in the same household) experiencing mental health crises or suicidal distress. The program awards grants to licensed mental health providers who meet geographic criteria to ensure services are accessible within a one-hour travel distance. The Commissioner of Human Services will manage applications, select providers, and publish a list of approved services online, aiming to reduce stigma and improve access to care.

This bill prohibits New Jersey law enforcement and automated license plate reader (ALPR) operators from sharing ALPR data with other states for investigations targeting people seeking or providing reproductive health care services that are legal in New Jersey (including pregnancy care, contraception, or abortion). It requires out-of-state law enforcement agencies to provide written assurance they won’t use the data for such investigations before NJ agencies share information. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for repeat offenses. The bill directly affects NJ law enforcement agencies, ALPR operators, and out-of-state agencies seeking to investigate legal reproductive health services.

This bill establishes the "Cop 2 Cop Sustainability Fund" to provide stable, ongoing funding for a confidential 24-hour crisis hotline supporting New Jersey law enforcement officers and sheriff's officers. It appropriates $500,000 annually from the General Fund starting in fiscal year 2025 to sustain the existing "Law Enforcement Officer Crisis Intervention Services" program, which currently receives $400,000 from Body Armor Replacement Funds. The hotline offers confidential peer support for officers experiencing psychological stress, trauma, or emotional distress related to their work. Operators must be trained in law enforcement-specific mental health issues, and the program ensures caller confidentiality while allowing limited tracking for severe cases. The fund will also accept additional revenues from other sources to support the program's long-term operation.