Healthcare (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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly supports federal legislation to improve mental health services and access for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly expresses support for federal legislation aimed at improving mental health services for veterans.95% confidence

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

Track

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 JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands holistic representation to address underlying personal challenges, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates connecting clients to mental health resources, directly advancing healthcare access and support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4278: Establishes zero suicide initiative within DOH.

This bill creates a statewide "Zero Suicide" initiative within New Jersey's Department of Health to help healthcare facilities and behavioral health providers prevent suicide through evidence-based practices. The program will offer voluntary training, technical assistance, and certification for organizations that adopt specific safety protocols, such as risk screening and continuity of care plans. To support these efforts, the legislation allows for grants to certified providers and establishes a framework for enhanced Medicaid reimbursement incentives. Ultimately, the act aims to integrate suicide prevention into routine clinical care while recognizing and rewarding facilities that successfully implement these standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a Zero Suicide initiative, provides grants to certified providers, and promotes evidence-based practices to prevent suicide, directly strengthening mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

Track

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

AJR 181: Designates May of each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month."

This New Jersey bill designates May of each year as "Mothers' Grief Awareness Month" to honor mothers who have lost children and to raise awareness about the mental health challenges they face. The resolution requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs. By aligning this observance with Mother's Day, the bill aims to ensure that grieving mothers are recognized and supported rather than feeling forgotten on a day that may otherwise cause them pain.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill raises awareness of mental health challenges faced by grieving mothers, aligning with mental health service support.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

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

A 5000: Establishes Veterans Bill of Rights.

This bill establishes a Veterans Bill of Rights in New Jersey to inform and guide the Department of Veterans Affairs in serving state residents who have served in the military. It requires the department to distribute physical and digital copies of the rights document to veterans and maintain these materials on its website and in all facilities. The act outlines specific entitlements, including fair treatment, access to healthcare and mental health services, privacy protections, and assistance with employment, housing, and benefits claims.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes Veterans Bill of Rights ensuring fair treatment and access to healthcare and mental health services.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates digital distribution of rights and includes privacy protections, indicating support for digital access and data privacy.65% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a Veterans Bill of Rights to ensure fair treatment, healthcare access, and privacy, directly strengthening veteran services.95% confidence

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

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 4342: Requires emergency departments to provide certain information to parents of children experiencing mental health crisis.

This New Jersey bill requires emergency departments at licensed general hospitals to give parents or guardians of children in mental health crises contact information for local care management organizations. These organizations are defined as county-based nonprofits that offer face-to-face support to youth with complex needs and their families. The law aims to connect families with community resources during urgent situations by ensuring this information is provided directly at the hospital. The changes will become effective 90 days after the bill is signed into law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to mental health resources by requiring hospitals to provide contact info for community care organizations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4072: Requires public institution of higher education to adopt withdrawal policy permitting refund for certain extenuating circumstances.

This New Jersey bill requires all public colleges and universities to create a policy allowing students to withdraw from their courses and receive a refund if they face specific extenuating circumstances. The law defines these circumstances to include illness, injury, hospitalization, and mental health or wellness issues that prevent a student from continuing their education. Under the new rules, students who withdraw due to these reasons would get their tuition and fees back, as well as a prorated refund for room and board charges for the time they did not use campus services. The bill also mandates that institutions establish clear criteria for evaluating these situations and notes that financial aid refunds will follow existing state and federal regulations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by allowing tuition refunds for students facing extenuating circumstances like illness or mental health issues.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates refunds for students facing illness, injury, hospitalization, or mental health issues, directly supporting access to healthcare and wellness services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Mental Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4839: Requires DHS to submit Medicaid State plan amendment to federal government requesting approval to create Health Home Program for certain Medicaid beneficiaries with sickle cell disease.

This New Jersey bill requires the state's Department of Human Services to apply for federal approval to create a special Health Home Program for Medicaid recipients with sickle cell disease who are at risk of developing another chronic condition. Once approved, the state must implement this program within 180 days to coordinate care for these patients, integrating services such as primary care, behavioral health, and long-term support. The legislation defines sickle cell disease as an inherited blood disorder and clarifies that a chronic condition is any persistent health issue lasting at least 12 months. By establishing this program, the bill aims to ensure that eligible individuals receive comprehensive, whole-person care rather than fragmented medical treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a new Health Home Program to coordinate care and integrate services for sickle cell patients, expanding access and support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Primary Care

Track

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4867: Establishes toll free helpline for first responders, health care workers, and other frontline workers experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.

This bill creates a toll-free helpline to support first responders, healthcare workers, and other frontline staff who are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder related to their work during the pandemic. The New Jersey Department of Health will partner with Rutgers University to run this service, which will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for both workers and their families. Helpline operators will be trained in mental health issues specific to these professions and will refer callers to additional counseling and peer support when necessary. The program will protect the privacy of callers while allowing for tracking only in cases where there is a reasonable belief of imminent harm to the individual or others.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a toll-free helpline to support frontline healthcare workers with PTSD, directly advancing mental health services and protecting worker well-being.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4065: Prohibits wearable technology companies from selling users' health information without consent.

This bill prohibits wearable technology companies in New Jersey from selling or offering to sell consumers' health information without their express written consent. It defines "wearable technology" as devices worn on the body that track physical activities and health metrics, such as heart rate and sleep patterns, and applies to any company that develops or sells these devices. The law requires companies to obtain clear, written permission before monetizing data related to a user's past, present, or future physical or mental health condition. By adding this specific restriction to existing privacy statutes, the legislation aims to give individuals greater control over how their personal health data is used by device manufacturers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by prohibiting unauthorized sale of health data from wearable devices.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects consumer data privacy by requiring consent for wearable tech health data sales, aligning with digital rights and consumer protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Consumer Data Protection

Track