Healthcare (Mental Health)

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

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

A 4381: Establishes "Farm Mental Health and Financial Services Task Force."

This bill establishes a "Farm Mental Health and Financial Services Task Force" to address mental health and financial stress among New Jersey farm workers. The task force, made up of the Agriculture and Health Secretaries plus three public members (a farmer advocate, banking representative, and mental health advocate), must create and maintain a public online list of existing mental health and financial services for farm owners, operators, supervisors, and laborers within 180 days. The list will detail available services, how to access them, and include recommendations based on other states' approaches. The list must be updated online at least every six months by the Agriculture and Health Departments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates task force to compile mental health service list for farm workers, improving access to existing healthcare resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3556: Establishes initiatives related to behavioral health care, including increasing reimbursement rates, providing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing grant programs for facility upkeep and provider training, and relaxing clinical supervision requirements.

This bill increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for residential behavioral health services to at least 100% of the Medicare rate, starting July 1, 2024. It also requires annual cost-of-living adjustments for residential behavioral health providers based on the Consumer Price Index and creates a new fund to provide grants for facility repairs, maintenance, and provider training. These changes directly affect residential behavioral health service providers who receive Medicaid payments and the Department of Human Services, which administers the program. The bill aims to improve access to and quality of behavioral health care by strengthening financial support for providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates to 100% of Medicare rate and funds facility upkeep/training for behavioral health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Mental Health

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

A 1152: Increases FY2024 appropriation from General Fund to DCF for Center for Great Expectations by $1.5 million from $500,000 to $2.0 million.

This bill increases state funding for the Center for Great Expectations in Somerset by $1.5 million, raising its FY2024 appropriation from $500,000 to $2 million. The Center provides housing and services to over 1,000 vulnerable individuals annually, including homeless people, pregnant or parenting individuals, and those with mental health or substance use challenges. The additional funds will specifically support its adolescent residential program (the state's only such program), adult residential services for pregnant women, and outpatient mental health/substance abuse programs. This budget amendment directly addresses current funding shortfalls for these critical services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases FY2024 appropriation by $1.5M for essential public service (Center for Great Expectations), directly advancing state budget funding for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $1.5M increase for mental health/substance use services at Center for Great Expectations, directly expanding healthcare support for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases funding for housing services targeting homeless individuals and vulnerable populations through the Center for Great Expectations, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Mental Health Substance Abuse Homelessness

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

A 3783: Requires DOH to conduct study on causes of youth suicide.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to study the causes and risk factors of youth suicide in the state. The study must examine specific factors like mental illness, substance use, trauma, family history, and social withdrawal, while respecting privacy laws. Within 180 days, the DOH must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature with findings and recommendations for potential policy changes. The bill directly affects New Jersey youth by focusing on understanding suicide causes to inform future prevention efforts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates DOH study of youth suicide causes including mental illness, aiming to inform policy changes that would strengthen mental health services and prevention efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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

A 2446: Authorizes local governments to provide voluntary contributions to certain nonprofit veterans' organizations.

This bill (A 2446) allows New Jersey counties and municipalities to make voluntary annual contributions of up to $70,000 to qualifying nonprofit veterans' organizations. The funds must be used for specific veteran services like housing assistance, mental health support, career transition programs, and family resources. Local governments must receive annual accounting from these organizations detailing how the funds were spent to support veterans within their jurisdiction. The bill defines eligible organizations as those meeting IRS 501(c)(19) tax-exempt status and providing services related to veterans' physical, emotional, or medical needs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health support services for veterans through nonprofit organizations, directly advancing healthcare access for a specific population.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates funds for veteran housing assistance, directly funding housing services as a specified use of contributions.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes local governments to fund veteran services (housing, mental health, career programs) via nonprofit contributions with spending accountability, directly advancing veteran support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing

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

A 2732: "Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act"; requires institutions of higher education to implement mental health programs and services.

New Jersey colleges and universities must implement comprehensive mental health programs under this bill. Key requirements include annual student orientations on mental health, online screenings for conditions like depression and anxiety (starting three years after enactment), peer support networks using federal recovery models, and partnerships with local providers to meet a 1:1,250 clinician-to-student ratio benchmark. Institutions must also train advisors and security staff in mental health first aid and reduce administrative barriers for students seeking mental health leave. These changes directly affect all public and private higher education institutions in New Jersey, aiming to increase access to campus and community mental health resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health programs in higher ed, requiring orientations, screenings, and staff training to enhance student support services and access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates comprehensive mental health programs, screenings, peer networks, and clinician ratios in colleges, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 2018: Requires publication of guide for licensure as integrated care facility; assigns DOH and DHS employees to communicate with facilities.

This New Jersey bill requires the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) to create and publish an online guide for healthcare facilities. It directly affects facilities like community mental health centers, substance use treatment programs, and federally qualified health centers that seek licensure for integrated care services. The guide must clearly explain the steps and rules needed for facilities to: (1) provide integrated health care (coordinating general and behavioral health services), (2) add behavioral health or substance use treatment to existing primary care licenses, and (3) contact assigned department staff for help. The bill defines "integrated health care" as systematically coordinating general and behavioral health services to address issues like mental illness, substance use, and chronic conditions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates DOH/DHS to create online guide for integrated care facility licensure, directly supporting mental health/substance use programs' access to coordinated care services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health Primary Care

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3565: Establishes and allocates funds for program to provide mental health services to veterans; appropriates $2 million.

S 3565 establishes a state-funded program to provide mental health services to New Jersey veterans through grants to qualified organizations. It appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs, which will distribute funds to veterans' organizations (including tax-exempt groups and specific entities like the New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group) that contract with licensed mental health professionals. The bill requires grantees to provide mental health services directly to veterans, with the program taking effect immediately. This legislation directly affects veterans seeking mental health care and the eligible organizations administering the services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $2M from General Fund for veterans' mental health services, directly funding a public program under state budget.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2M for veteran mental health services via grants to qualified providers, directly funding care access and expanding coverage for a specific healthcare need.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates $2M for state-funded mental health services to NJ veterans through grants to qualified organizations, directly funding veteran healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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

A 1440: Encourages expansion of community mental health programs to include mental health services to veterans; prohibits veterans from being denied county mental health services.

This bill requires New Jersey counties to expand community mental health programs to include mental health services specifically for veterans and prohibits denying veterans these services based solely on their military status. It amends existing law to explicitly list "Services for veterans" as a required component of community mental health centers and mandates that state funding for mental health services must cover veterans in need. Counties must refer veterans to the VA for eligibility determination while ensuring they receive county services during the wait, and cannot deny services due to veteran status or VA wait times. The bill directly affects veterans seeking mental health care and county mental health programs receiving state funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates expansion of mental health services to veterans, prohibits denial of services based on military status, and requires state funding coverage for veterans' mental health needs.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires NJ counties to expand mental health services for veterans, mandates state funding, prohibits denial based on military status - directly strengthens veteran healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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