Healthcare (Mental Health)

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

A 3787: Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for suicidal ideation and attempted suicide for postpartum women.

This bill requires all health insurance companies and state health programs in New Jersey to cover treatment for suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts for women during the one-year postpartum period (after childbirth). It specifically defines "suicidal ideation" as thoughts or plans about suicide and "attempted suicide" as harmful behavior meant to cause self-harm or death. The coverage applies immediately to all existing and new health plans in the state, including those for state and school employees. The bill addresses a critical health gap, as suicide is a leading cause of death among postpartum women, with studies showing up to 20% of postpartum deaths may involve suicide.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for postpartum mental health treatment, expanding access to critical care for vulnerable patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

Track

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

A 3060: Establishes public awareness campaign on dangers of social media use to minors; appropriates $500,000.

This bill establishes a public awareness campaign about social media's risks to minors, targeting parents and guardians of children aged 13-17. It appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund for the New Jersey Department of Education to develop and implement the campaign within 180 days of enactment. The campaign will use statewide media channels - including newspapers, radio, TV ads, and social media - to share research on social media's mental health impacts, based on the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory. The Commissioner of Education must report on the campaign’s progress to the Governor and Legislature within 24 months of the bill’s effective date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $500k from General Fund for public awareness campaign, directly funding a state program under budget management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds public awareness campaign on social media's mental health impacts (a healthcare topic), directly supporting mental health through public health initiative.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health

Track

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

A 2504: Establishes Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program; appropriates $3 million.

This bill establishes the Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Human Services, appropriating $3 million to provide confidential mental health services. It directly affects law enforcement officers and their immediate family members (spouses, domestic partners, children, or parents living with the officer) who are in a mental health crisis or suicidal. The program awards grants to licensed mental health providers to deliver these services, with priority given to providers located within one hour of where clients live to reduce travel barriers. The Commissioner of Human Services will manage applications, publish approved providers online, and oversee implementation once funded.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $3M for confidential mental health services for law enforcement officers and families, directly expanding access to mental healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

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

A 2083: Establishes New Jersey Center for Study and Prevention of Suicide at Rutgers School of Public Health; appropriates $500,000.

This bill establishes the New Jersey Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide at Rutgers School of Public Health. It requires the center to research suicide causes, prevention strategies, and treatment options at individual and societal levels, while collaborating with state agencies like the Department of Health. The bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to launch the center and mandates annual reports to the Governor and Legislature on its research, funding, and grant programs. The center may also accept additional grants or donations for suicide-related research.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $500,000 from General Fund for suicide prevention center, increasing public health funding.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds suicide prevention research center, directly supporting mental health services through public health initiatives with $500k appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health Public Health

Track

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

A 953: Requires certain State employees receive mental health first aid training.

This bill requires all State employees with "director" status - defined as those with authority to direct other employees or take corrective action - to complete mental health first aid training. The training must cover recognizing early signs of mental health issues, common disorders, and proper intervention and referral strategies. The Civil Service Commission will oversee implementation, working with State employers to identify eligible directors and establish training requirements. It directly affects State directors across all government branches, aiming to improve workplace support for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health first aid training for state directors to recognize and address mental health issues, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates mental health training for supervisors to recognize issues and intervene, improving workplace safety and employee well-being under Labor & Employment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Employees

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 28, 2026

A 2384: Requires DOH to develop Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create and maintain a comprehensive Statewide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Plan. The plan must include resource inventories, performance metrics to improve response times and access, regional coordination with county health boards, and specific goals like reducing patient treatment delays and designating trauma centers. It mandates triennial updates and public availability of the plan online, while also addressing training, disaster response teams, and mental health support for EMS personnel. The law directly affects all emergency medical services providers, hospitals, and 911 dispatch centers across New Jersey by setting statewide standards for system coordination and performance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires DOH to develop EMS plan with goals to improve response times, reduce delays, and designate trauma centers, enhancing emergency healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Tags Emergency Management Public Safety

Track

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

AJR 38: Designates May of each year as "Maternal Mental Health Month."

AJR 38 designates every May as "Maternal Mental Health Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to raise awareness about mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It does not create new programs or allocate funding, but aims to highlight existing resources like the Department of Health's maternal mental health hotline. The resolution focuses on increasing public recognition of a common health concern affecting up to 1 in 5 women during pregnancy or after childbirth.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDesignates Maternal Mental Health Month to raise awareness of existing services, promoting mental health access without funding changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3455: Establishes "Student Mental Health Task Force."

S 3455 establishes a "Student Mental Health Task Force" to examine mental health challenges faced by New Jersey students, including depression, anxiety, and trauma. The task force, composed of 17 members (including state agency heads and appointed representatives from education, mental health, and community organizations), will survey existing mental health resources in schools and communities across all counties and regions. It must develop recommendations to improve students' access to mental health services and support, focusing on identifying needs, assessing provider networks, funding sources, and potential partnerships with colleges. The bill does not create new programs but mandates a study to inform future policy. (S 3455, introduced February 9, 2026)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes task force to improve student mental health access in schools, directly supporting educational well-being and access as per topic description.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates task force to improve student mental health access and resources, directly supporting mental health services within healthcare framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

Track

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 18, 2026

A 2733: Requires emergency departments to provide certain information to parents of children experiencing mental health crisis.

Bill A 2733 requires emergency departments in New Jersey general hospitals to provide parents or guardians of children experiencing mental health crises with contact information for nearby county-based care management organizations (CMOs). These CMOs are defined as nonprofit groups offering in-person support for youth with complex needs and their families. The bill mandates that hospitals share this specific information during emergency visits, directly affecting parents/guardians, emergency departments, and CMOs. It takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates emergency departments to share CMO contacts, improving access to mental health support for youth in crisis85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

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

A 1361: Requires Office of Information Technology to establish centralized, one-stop website resource guide to assist persons in navigating the State's mental health and substance use disorder service systems.

This bill requires New Jersey's Office of Information Technology to create and maintain a single, centralized website to help people navigate mental health and substance use disorder services. The website must provide easily searchable information on treatment options, hotlines, housing resources, state procedures (like involuntary commitment), and agency oversight, all organized by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and other relevant departments. It directly assists individuals with mental health or substance use disorders, their families, and concerned third parties seeking support. The site must include hyperlinks to providers, educational materials, recovery housing, and state reports, with prominent links on state agency websites. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates centralized website to improve access to mental health/substance use services, directly supporting patient navigation and resource availability in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track