Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3780: Establishes Mental Health Awareness Pilot Program in DOE.

This bill establishes a two-year Mental Health Awareness Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Education, directly affecting middle and high school students in participating school districts. School districts must apply with detailed data on student enrollment, absenteeism, academic performance, socioeconomic status, and current mental health staffing to be selected. The Commissioner will choose six districts - representing all regions and urban/suburban/rural settings - to implement innovative mental health awareness initiatives and teach students coping skills for stress management. After two years, the Commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature on the program's implementation and whether it should continue or expand.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes mental health pilot program in DOE for K-12 students, directly enhancing student support services and school-based mental health resources.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health pilot program in schools, directly supporting mental health services for students as described in bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2009: Expressly allows health care professionals located outside New Jersey to provide services using telemedicine and telehealth to patients in New Jersey.

This bill allows health care professionals licensed in New Jersey to provide telemedicine and telehealth services to patients in New Jersey, even if the provider is located outside the state. It requires providers to maintain valid NJ licensure, follow the same standard of care as in-person visits, and use real-time communication for most services (with limited exceptions for store-and-forward technology). The law specifically permits prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances only after an initial in-person exam, except for minors with parental consent. It also mandates that providers share patient records with the patient's primary care provider upon request and ensures mental health screenings can use telehealth without additional authorization. The bill directly affects out-of-state health care providers seeking to serve NJ patients and NJ patients seeking remote care options.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands telemedicine access by allowing out-of-state providers to serve NJ patients, improving patient access to healthcare services while maintaining licensure and care standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health Telehealth

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1294: Establishes "Student Mental Health Task Force."

This bill establishes a 17-member "Student Mental Health Task Force" in New Jersey to address mental health support for public school students. The task force, composed of education and health officials plus appointed community experts, will study existing mental health resources in schools and communities across all counties and regions. It must develop recommendations on improving access to services, identifying student mental health needs, expanding counseling programs, and funding requirements, while examining successful models from other states. The task force must submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of its formation, with copies sent to all school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates task force to improve school mental health services and expand counseling programs, strengthening student support systems in K-12 education.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates Student Mental Health Task Force to study and improve school mental health services, expand counseling programs, and address funding requirements - directly advancing mental health care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 799: Prohibits advertising artificial intelligence system as licensed mental health professional.

This bill (A 799) prohibits developers or deployers of artificial intelligence systems in New Jersey from advertising or representing to the public that their AI can act as a licensed mental health professional. It directly affects AI companies and developers marketing their systems in the state. The law defines "artificial intelligence" broadly and "licensed mental health professional" to include all state-licensed mental health practitioners. Violations would be treated as consumer fraud under state law, subjecting offenders to fines up to $20,000 per offense and potential penalties like cease-and-desist orders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits misleading AI claims about mental health services, protecting patients from unsafe care and upholding standards for licensed professionals in healthcare.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits misleading AI marketing as mental health professionals, treating violations as consumer fraud to protect public safety per bill's intent.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4264: Directs DOE to develop guidelines for school districts concerning student mental health services.

This bill directs New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the Departments of Human Services and Children and Families, to create and distribute guidelines for school districts on providing student mental health services. The guidelines must cover eight key areas, including implementing trauma-informed care systems, establishing community partnerships, ensuring culturally sensitive services for English learners, incorporating virtual options, evaluating service effectiveness, and identifying funding sources. School districts will receive these guidelines, which the DOE must post online and update annually with input from educators and mental health professionals. The bill applies to all New Jersey public school districts and aims to improve access to mental health support for students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates DOE to develop mental health service guidelines for schools, enhancing student support programs and access to care, directly strengthening educational services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates DOE to develop guidelines for school mental health services, directly expanding access and support for student mental health care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3992: Establishes "Youth Homelessness Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act."

This bill establishes a one-year pilot program in Hudson County to provide financial support to homeless youth aged 18-24. It authorizes a one-time $5,000 payment plus a $1,200 monthly cash stipend for nine months to 50 eligible participants, with stipends explicitly excluded from income calculations for public assistance programs. The program requires wraparound services like housing navigation, financial coaching, and mental health support to address housing instability. The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development must evaluate the pilot and submit a report to the legislature within six months of its conclusion.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health support as a required wraparound service, directly advancing healthcare access for homeless youth.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides direct financial support and wraparound services to homeless youth, addressing housing instability through funding and prevention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness Property Development

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3459: Establishes "Youth Homelessness Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act."

S 3459 establishes a one-year pilot program in Hudson County for 50 homeless youth aged 18-24, providing a $5,000 one-time payment and a $1,200 monthly cash stipend for nine months. The program, administered by the state’s Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner, includes wraparound services like housing navigation, financial coaching, and mental health support. It requires collecting data on housing stability and economic outcomes without gathering citizenship or immigration information, and mandates a final report to the Governor and Legislature. The pilot aims to test whether direct cash assistance improves housing stability for youth facing homelessness in underserved communities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires mental health support as a wraparound service, directly supporting mental health (a healthcare component) within its homelessness program.80% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides direct financial assistance ($5k + $1,200/mo) and housing navigation services to homeless youth, explicitly targeting housing stability and economic outcomes per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness Property Development

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2436: Concerns Early Intervention Support Services program in DHS and expansion of program to all counties.

New Jersey's A-2436 expands the Early Intervention Support Services (EISS) program to provide crisis intervention services in every county. The bill requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish one EISS program per county, directly affecting adults 18+ with serious mental illness who need rapid access to medication, therapy, and case management outside hospitals. Key mechanisms include DHS funding for county expansion and program enhancements based on need, coordination with counties to improve public awareness and referral pathways, and annual reporting on service usage, stabilization outcomes, and program improvements. The bill mandates DHS to collect data from all programs and issue annual reports to the Governor and Legislature by 18 months after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health crisis services via county EISS programs, requires DHS funding for rapid access to medication/therapy for adults with serious mental illness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

ACR 93: Proposes constitutional amendment to dedicate tax revenue from legal sale of recreational marijuana for mental health, addiction recovery and drug rehabilitation services.

ACR 93 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would require all tax revenue from New Jersey's legal recreational marijuana sales to be dedicated exclusively to mental health, addiction recovery, and drug rehabilitation services. If approved by voters, this amendment would mandate that funds collected under the state's marijuana sales tax (per the Sales and Use Tax Act) must be used solely for these specific services and cannot be diverted to other state budget needs. The amendment would become part of the state constitution only after voter approval in a general election.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDedicates marijuana sales tax revenue exclusively to mental health/addiction services, directly funding essential programs per bill's mandate.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds drug rehabilitation services, a key component of criminal justice reform aimed at reducing recidivism and addressing addiction.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDedicates marijuana tax revenue exclusively to mental health/addiction services, directly funding healthcare programs as per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax State Budget Drug Policy Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3274: Establishes Military Suicide Prevention Task Force.

This New Jersey bill creates a 17-member Military Suicide Prevention Task Force within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Department of Human Services. The task force includes military leaders, veterans, mental health experts, and representatives from state agencies, with specific requirements for veteran representation and expertise in areas like PTSD and military sexual trauma. Its key duties are to review military suicide issues, identify evidence-based prevention strategies, recommend state actions (including legislation), and submit biannual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The task force directly affects active-duty service members, veterans, and state agencies responsible for military and veteran services in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Military Suicide Prevention Task Force focusing on PTSD and military mental health, advancing evidence-based mental health services for veterans.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates task force to address veteran suicide prevention, PTSD, and military sexual trauma through mental health strategies, directly improving veteran healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Benefits Veteran Mental Health

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