Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4056: Requires DVA establish Veterans Outdoor Recovery Task Force.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to create a Veterans Outdoor Recovery Task Force. The task force, led by DVA and Environmental Protection commissioners, will identify barriers to using public outdoor spaces for veteran mental health treatment and develop recommendations to improve access. It must hold public hearings statewide, coordinate with land agencies, and submit findings to the legislature and governor within 18 months. The policy directly affects veterans - particularly those with PTSD, as cited by the bill - by aiming to expand outdoor therapy options as part of their recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates task force to identify barriers and improve access to outdoor mental health treatment for veterans, directly supporting mental health services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates task force to identify barriers and improve outdoor mental health treatment access for veterans, advancing healthcare services.90% confidence

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

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3301: Requires school psychologists and school counselors to complete mental health first aid training.

This bill requires New Jersey school psychologists and counselors to complete an 8-hour mental health first aid training course. The training, developed by the Department of Education with the Department of Human Services, must cover identifying mental health issues in students, recognizing risk factors, and using crisis intervention strategies. School staff must complete the training during their first year of employment and at least once every three years thereafter. The course content must include specific topics like depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use disorders in children and adolescents.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health training for school staff to identify student issues and provide crisis intervention, strengthening student support services in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health first aid training for school staff to improve student mental health services and crisis intervention, directly advancing mental health care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3662: Establishes temporary Pandemic PTSD Task Force.

This bill establishes a temporary Pandemic PTSD Task Force within New Jersey's Department of Human Services. It directly affects first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs), healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.), and other frontline workers who provided essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemics. The task force - comprising 21 members including experts, healthcare workers with PTSD experience, and state officials - will study the prevalence of pandemic-related PTSD among these groups and develop recommendations for identification and treatment. The task force must submit its report within a set timeframe, focusing on best practices to support affected workers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates task force to study pandemic PTSD in healthcare workers, addressing mental health needs of frontline staff through dedicated study and potential future interventions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 3366: Requires counseling for certain domestic violence offenders.

This bill requires New Jersey courts to mandate professional domestic violence counseling for offenders convicted of domestic violence crimes who are subject to court-ordered restrictions on contact with victims, family members, or pets. It applies to individuals sentenced with conditions restricting their contact with protected parties, including those placed on probation or having sentences suspended. The court must order offenders to complete counseling with a licensed mental health professional and provide documentation of attendance, and the offender cannot have their protection order lifted until counseling is completed. This policy change directly affects domestic violence offenders in New Jersey court cases involving contact restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates counseling for domestic violence offenders to reduce recidivism, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates court-ordered mental health counseling for domestic violence offenders, directly advancing mental health services as required by licensed professionals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3523: Directs DHS to establish Children's Partial Hospitalization Pilot Program.

S 3523 establishes a 36-month pilot program to expand access to mental health care for children aged 5-14 in New Jersey. The bill directs the Department of Human Services to modify NJ FamilyCare reimbursement rules, allowing partial hospitalization services (intensive outpatient mental health treatment) to be provided at non-hospital locations instead of requiring hospital settings. One provider must be selected to participate, meeting specific criteria including exclusive service to this age group and approval through the Children’s System of Care. The program requires a final report to the Governor and Legislature within 36 months, evaluating clinical and budgetary outcomes before potential expansion. This change aims to increase access to lower-cost, structured care while leveraging federal Medicaid funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health access for children via non-hospital partial hospitalization under NJ FamilyCare, improving patient access to services95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Mental Health

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

A 4171: Requires DVA conduct outcomes and efficacy study of veteran to veteran peer support helpline.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to conduct a two-year study on the effectiveness of the veteran-to-veteran peer support helpline (commonly called the "vet to vet hotline"). The study will analyze national suicide data and helpline records to evaluate how well the program prevents suicide, supports veterans in accessing mental health care, and serves those in crisis. The DVA must submit a report to the Legislature within six months of the study's completion and may propose new legislation to improve the helpline's services. The bill directly affects the DVA and the existing veteran support program, focusing on measurable outcomes rather than operational changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates study on veteran peer support helpline's effectiveness in preventing suicide and supporting mental health care access, directly advancing mental health services.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires DVA to study veteran helpline's efficacy in suicide prevention and mental health support, aiming to strengthen program effectiveness for veterans in crisis.90% confidence

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

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

A 926: Requires Medicaid coverage for assisted living services for individuals with serious mental illnesses.

This bill would require New Jersey Medicaid to cover assisted living services for individuals with serious mental illnesses. It amends the Medicaid statute to explicitly add these services as a covered benefit, expanding current coverage that primarily includes intermediate care facilities. This change would directly affect Medicaid beneficiaries with serious mental illnesses who currently lack access to Medicaid-funded assisted living care. The bill does not specify funding details but would expand the range of services Medicaid must provide under state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for mental health services by requiring assisted living coverage, improving access for individuals with serious mental illnesses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid Mental Health

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

A 2232: Expands responsibilities of Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board and establishes "Problematic Sexual Behavior Program"; appropriates $8.5 million.

This bill expands the Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board's role to implement an annual progress review program for New Jersey's child advocacy centers and teams, ensuring they meet national accreditation standards. It also creates a new "Problematic Sexual Behavior Program" to support youth under 18 exhibiting developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviors (including tech-related issues like sexting), with $8.5 million in funding. The program will use specialized care coordinators to connect affected youth and families with medical, mental health, and community resources. It directly affects child advocacy centers, multidisciplinary teams, and youth/families experiencing these behavioral challenges. The bill amends existing law to establish these requirements and funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds $8.5M for youth mental health program addressing problematic sexual behaviors, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 3236: Establishes oversight and qualifications of peer recovery specialists.

This bill establishes a certification system for peer recovery specialists in New Jersey, who provide support to individuals with substance use or mental health challenges based on their personal lived experience. To practice, individuals must meet standards set by the Division of Consumer Affairs, including passing a background check, and cannot represent themselves as certified without approval. The law exempts existing support groups (like Alcoholics Anonymous), clergy, students in training, and licensed professionals (such as therapists) who don’t claim certification. It also prohibits conflicts of interest, like exploiting peer relationships for personal gain. The bill takes effect 13 months after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes certification standards for peer recovery specialists in mental health, strengthening oversight and quality of support services for substance use/mental health challenges.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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

A 2652: Requires annual suicide prevention training for mental health practitioners.

This bill requires licensed mental health practitioners in New Jersey - including clinical social workers, psychologists, counselors, and therapists - to complete two hours of approved suicide prevention training annually. The training must cover suicide prevention, assessment, screening, treatment, and management in clinical settings, and practitioners must submit proof of completion to their licensing boards. The Division of Consumer Affairs will maintain a list of approved training programs, prioritizing those from national organizations like SAMHSA. The law applies to all professionals practicing under Title 45 of New Jersey’s Revised Statutes and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates suicide prevention training for mental health practitioners, strengthening clinical care standards in mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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