Healthcare (Mental Health)

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2749: Requires health insurance and Medicaid coverage for screening, prevention, and treatment services of behavioral health issues affecting children.

This bill (NJ A2749) requires health insurance plans and Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare) to cover preventive behavioral health services for children under 18, including screenings and early intervention without requiring a formal mental health diagnosis. It mandates insurers to accept "at-risk diagnosis" billing - using Social Determinants of Health Z-codes instead of standard mental health codes - to pay for preventive care like therapy or screenings for children showing potential behavioral health needs. The coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical services, applying to all health plans sold in New Jersey, state employee health programs, and Medicaid managed care organizations. The bill was withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.369.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance/Medicaid coverage for children's preventive behavioral health services without diagnosis requirements, expanding access to mental health care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Mental Health

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

A 2649: Requires health insurance coverage for annual mental health screening.

This New Jersey bill (A 2649) requires all health insurance plans sold in the state to cover annual mental health screenings as part of standard coverage for mental health conditions and substance use disorders. It applies to hospital service, medical service, and health service insurance contracts, mandating that insurers provide this coverage under the same terms and conditions as physical health care - meaning no stricter copays, deductibles, or review processes for mental health than for other medical services. The law aligns with federal parity requirements and specifically adds the annual screening as a covered benefit. This directly affects all health insurance companies operating in New Jersey and their policyholders, ensuring access to preventative mental health care without additional cost barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for annual mental health screenings as physical health, expanding access without stricter copays/deductibles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Mental Health

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

AJR 62: Designates month of May of each year as "Children's Mental Health and Trauma Awareness Month."

AJR 62 designates May of each year as "Children's Mental Health and Trauma Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about children's mental health, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and mental illness, encouraging the state to promote understanding through annual observance. It does not create new laws or funding but requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to encourage community activities focused on these issues. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents by highlighting the importance of addressing childhood mental health challenges and ACEs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates May as Children's Mental Health Awareness Month to raise public awareness about mental health and trauma, directly supporting mental health services through annual observance and community engagement without new funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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

A 1804: Requires court to provide certain defendants with referral for mental health and substance abuse evaluation.

This New Jersey bill (A 1804) requires courts to refer certain defendants to mental health and substance abuse evaluations as part of pretrial release decisions. It directly affects eligible defendants who are being considered for release before trial but have potential mental health or substance use needs. The key provision mandates that courts must provide these referrals when determining release conditions, ensuring defendants have access to treatment as part of their pretrial supervision. The bill amends existing pretrial release laws (P.L.2014, c.31) to integrate these evaluations into the court's decision-making process. This policy change focuses on connecting defendants with treatment resources while maintaining court safety and appearance requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health/substance abuse evaluations for pretrial defendants, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through treatment access during pretrial supervision.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health referrals for defendants, improving access to treatment services as part of pretrial process95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse

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died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2747: Requires DCF to expand services provided by NJ Statewide Student Support Services program to include eating disorder services.

This bill would require New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) to expand the existing Statewide Student Support Services program to include eating disorder awareness, prevention, and counseling services for students in grades K-12. Regional hubs administering the program must assess community needs for these services and develop policies to provide them through the program's three-tiered system: universal workshops (Tier 1), small-group programs (Tier 2), and clinical interventions (Tier 3). The law directly affects all K-12 students in New Jersey by adding eating disorder support to existing mental health services. Note: This bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved as P.L.2025, c.366.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands K-12 student support services to include eating disorder counseling, enhancing mental health access within schools and aligning with student program improvements.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health services for students by adding eating disorder support to existing program, directly advancing healthcare access under mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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

AJR 46: Designates first week of May of each year as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week."

AJR 46 designates the first week of May each year as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week" in New Jersey. The bill requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the week with activities promoting awareness. This procedural resolution does not create new programs or funding but formally recognizes the week to support existing efforts addressing children's mental health. It directly affects New Jersey state officials and the public through the Governor's annual proclamation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates 'Children's Mental Health Awareness Week' to promote awareness and support existing mental health efforts, directly aligning with healthcare's mental health focus without restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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

A 1974: Establishes "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act."

This bill establishes minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and state developmental/psychiatric hospitals in New Jersey. It requires specific ratios, such as 1 nurse per 4 patients on medical/surgical units and 1 nurse per 2 patients in critical care, along with unlicensed staff ratios (1 per 7 patients during day shifts). Hospitals must implement an acuity-based staffing system approved by the health department to adjust staffing based on patient needs and unit conditions. The law aims to ensure safe staffing levels without reducing existing standards, directly affecting healthcare facilities and patient safety.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates specific nurse-to-patient ratios and acuity-based staffing to protect patient safety and improve care quality in healthcare facilities, directly advancing healthcare standards.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates safe nurse-to-patient ratios to improve workplace safety, directly protecting healthcare workers from unsafe conditions and burnout.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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

A 3812: Permits excused student absences for mental or behavioral health reasons.

This bill requires New Jersey public schools to count absences for mental or behavioral health needs as excused, directly affecting students, parents, and school districts. Parents must provide documentation to school officials to verify such absences, and students must be allowed to make up missed work without penalty to their attendance record or eligibility for attendance-based awards. School districts cannot list these absences on transcripts or employment forms, and the Education and Health Commissioners must develop guidelines defining qualifying health reasons. The policy aims to support student well-being while ensuring academic continuity, with implementation required for the first full school year after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill permits excused mental health absences without penalty, ensuring students maintain educational access and eligibility while protecting records from stigma, advancing student well-being and school support systems.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly permits excused absences for mental health, removing academic penalties and ensuring access to care without stigma or record impact, directly supporting mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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

A 3376: Expands scope of practice of pediatricians and advanced practice nurses with respect to pediatric behavioral and developmental health care.

This New Jersey bill expands healthcare access by allowing general pediatricians (not specialists) to treat children with low-acuity behavioral or developmental issues like anxiety, as defined by the State Board of Medical Examiners. It also updates rules for advanced practice nurses, enabling them to prescribe medications and manage care in more settings under specific collaborative protocols with physicians, including annual protocol reviews and additional pharmacology training for controlled substances. Both changes aim to increase provider capacity for pediatric behavioral health while requiring physician collaboration and documentation. The bill directly affects pediatricians and advanced practice nurses in New Jersey, particularly in community and primary care settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands pediatric behavioral care access by enabling general pediatricians and advanced practice nurses to treat low-acuity issues, improving mental health service availability without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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

A 2266: Requires Medicaid reimbursement of mental health rehabilitation services provided via clubhouse program.

This bill, A 2266, requires New Jersey Medicaid to reimburse providers for mental health rehabilitation services delivered through clubhouse programs. Clubhouse programs are community-based peer-support services that help individuals with mental health conditions rebuild their lives through structured activities, employment support, and social connection. The bill amends existing Medicaid law to explicitly include these services under covered rehabilitative care, ensuring they qualify for state reimbursement. This change directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries using clubhouse programs and their providers by making these services financially accessible without out-of-pocket costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid reimbursement for mental health clubhouse programs, expanding coverage and funding for peer-support rehabilitation services under Medicaid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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