Healthcare (Mental Health) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SJR 147: Designates May of each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month."

Senate Joint Resolution 147 designates the month of May each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month" in New Jersey to honor mothers who have lost children. The bill requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation to encourage public officials and citizens to observe the month with awareness activities and programs. This symbolic designation aims to raise visibility about the mental health challenges associated with child loss and to promote support for grieving mothers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4394: Establishes Veteran's Treatment Court Program.

This bill establishes a new Veterans Treatment Court Program in New Jersey to provide specialized judicial supervision and clinical care for veterans with serious charges who do not qualify for existing diversion programs. The program is designed to address crimes linked to untreated trauma, such as PTSD or substance use disorders, by creating a second track that operates alongside the current prosecutor-led diversion system. Eligible participants will be assigned to a specialized court docket in three regions, where they must complete structured treatment plans involving mental health professionals and an interdisciplinary team. While the bill expands access to support for justice-involved veterans, it explicitly excludes individuals charged with severe violent crimes like murder or aggravated sexual assault from participation.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4989: Makes supplemental appropriation of $1 million to DVA for suicide prevention training for personnel at State-run veterans' facilities.

This bill allocates $1 million from the state's General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs for suicide prevention training. The money will be used specifically to train staff at state-run Veterans' Haven facilities, which provide transitional housing for veterans. By funding this training, the legislation aims to equip facility personnel with the skills needed to better support residents and address suicide risks. The funding is designated under the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

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

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4897: Establishes "New Jersey Holistic Representation Model" in Office of Public Defender.

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Holistic Representation Model" statewide within the Office of the Public Defender to expand a pilot program that previously operated in three counties. The law requires each regional office to form teams for eligible clients that pair a public defender attorney with a non-attorney client services specialist. These specialists are tasked with connecting individuals to resources for mental health, substance abuse, housing, employment, and other life challenges while attorneys focus on legal defense. The act also mandates the creation of databases to track community resources and requires all team members to maintain client confidentiality.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4123: Requires involuntary commitment of certain individuals who have been administered opioid antidotes.

This bill amends New Jersey law to automatically classify individuals who receive opioid overdose antidotes as 'dangerous to self,' thereby making them eligible for involuntary commitment to treatment. The change directly affects people treated for apparent opioid overdoses by linking emergency medical intervention to mental health commitment criteria. Under the new provisions, anyone administered an opioid antidote would be deemed unable to meet their own basic needs, which is one of the conditions required to force them into psychiatric care without their consent.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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

A 5137: Establishes State-funded roster of mental health professionals to perform competency evaluations in criminal cases; makes appropriation.

This bill creates a state-funded roster of mental health professionals in New Jersey to conduct competency evaluations for criminal defendants who may be unfit to stand trial. It requires judges to select evaluators from this pre-approved list, which includes private practitioners and Department of Human Services staff, unless all parties agree to a different professional. The legislation also establishes a specific program administered by the Administrative Director of the Courts to manage the roster and ensures that defendants are not unnecessarily hospitalized during the evaluation process.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Appropriations Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4114: Authorizes physician assistants in behavioral health care to provide procedures and services without supervision.

This bill allows physician assistants working in behavioral health care to provide procedures and services without the direct supervision of a physician. It directly affects licensed physician assistants in New Jersey who treat patients for mental illness, emotional disorders, or substance use issues. The key change removes the requirement for a supervising physician when these professionals deliver care in settings like hospitals, clinics, or veterans' homes. Additionally, the law mandates that physician assistants maintain medical malpractice insurance or a letter of credit and clearly identify themselves to patients during treatment.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4136: Establishes "Support for Students Exposed to Domestic Violence Fund" in DOE to support public schools in addressing impact of domestic violence.

This bill creates a permanent fund within the New Jersey Department of Education to help public schools support students affected by domestic violence. The fund will be financed through annual state appropriations, federal grants, and other available money, which can be used to provide therapy and trauma-informed mental health services in schools. Additionally, the money may help districts identify resources for unmet student needs and fund the hiring and training of mental health staff. Schools that receive these funds must report to the Department of Education on how the money is spent, while the department determines how to distribute the money among districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

AR 136: Expresses support for federal "Building Resources and Access for Veteran's Mental Health Engagement Act of 2025."

This New Jersey Assembly Resolution expresses support for a federal bill called the BRAVE Act of 2025, which aims to improve mental health services for veterans. The resolution highlights that military service can lead to mental health challenges and notes that about 31 percent of veterans receiving VA care in 2023 had a confirmed mental health diagnosis. By passing this resolution, the state legislature is formally encouraging Congress to enact the federal legislation, which would address VA mental health care, support women veterans, and extend a suicide prevention grant program to community organizations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mental Health Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 18, 2026

S 4298: Establishes "New Jersey Holistic Representation Model" in Office of Public Defender.

This bill expands a pilot program into a statewide initiative, requiring the Office of the Public Defender to implement a team-based representation model across all regional offices. Under this new system, each client receives a team consisting of a staff attorney and a non-attorney client services specialist who work together to address both legal issues and underlying personal challenges. The client services specialist is tasked with connecting individuals to resources for mental health, substance abuse treatment, housing, employment, and other social needs while the attorney focuses on legal defense. By integrating social support directly into the legal process, the bill aims to provide more comprehensive assistance to people involved in the criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

All healthcare bills