The Lookout

New Jersey Bills to Watch

CURRENT UPDATES

Critical Bills

  • Requires certain providers of substance or alcohol use disorder treatment, services, or supports to be assessed for conflicts of interest prior to receiving State funds, licensure, or certification.

    Rep. Margie Donlon [D] Rep. Jessica Ramirez [D], Rep. Cleopatra Tucker [D], Rep. Anthony Verrelli [D], Rep. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson [D], Rep. Sterley Stanley [D], Rep. Shanique Speight [D]

    Update: Has not been reintroduced into the 2026-2027 Legislative Session - Dead as of now

  • Formerly A3981

    Subjects certain rooming and boarding houses to municipal land use regulations; requires owners and operators of cooperative sober living residences to submit certain approvals with license applications.

    Sen. Paul Moriarty [D], Sen. Gordon Johnson [D], Sen. Parker Space [R], Sen. Brian Stack [D], Sen. Linda Greenstein [D]

  • Requires Medicaid reimbursement of mental health rehabilitation services provided via clubhouse program.

    Sen. Vin Gopal [D], Sen. Declan O'Scanlon [R], Sen. Angela Mcknight [D]

    Update: Has not been reintroduced into the 2026-2027 Legislative Session - Dead as of now

  • Regulates residential mental health treatment facilities

    Sen. Holly Schepisi [R], Sen. John Burzichelli [D]

  • Formerly A3987

    Establishes "Substance Use Disorder and Addiction Treatment Best Practices Task Force."

    Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez [D]

  • Clarifies that definition of mental illness in law governing involuntary commitment to treatment includes substance use disorder if dangerous standard met.

    Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez [D]

    Update: Has not been reintroduced into the 2026-2027 Legislative Session - Dead as of now

  • "Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act"; authorizes production and use of psilocybin to promote health and wellness.

    Sen. Nicholas Scutari [D], Sen. Joseph Vitale [D], Sen. Holly Schepisi [R], Sen. Andrew Zwicker [D], Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez [D], Sen. Declan O'Scanlon [R], Sen. Renee Burgess [D], Sen. Teresa Ruiz [D], Sen. Raj Mukherji [D]

  • Requires prescription drug coverage for serious mental illness without prior authorization or utilization management, including step therapy.

    Sen. Raj Mukherji [D], Sen. Vin Gopal [D], Sen. Gordon Johnson [D], Sen. Jon Bramnick [R], Sen. Teresa Ruiz [D], Sen. Renee Burgess [D], Sen. Douglas Steinhardt [R], Sen. Benjie Wimberly [D], Sen. Anthony M. Bucco [R]

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

    Sen. Joseph Vitale [D], Sen. Nicholas Scutari [D], Sen. Patrick Diegnan [D], Sen. Andrew Zwicker [D], Sen. Linda Greenstein [D], Sen. Renee Burgess [D], Sen. Teresa Ruiz [D]

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  • Requires NJ FamilyCare to reimburse inpatient providers for long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs at outpatient reimbursement rate.

  • Codifies and extends authorization for certain out-of-State health care practitioners and recent graduates of health care training programs to practice in New Jersey

  • Increases access to substance use disorder treatment; Requires Medicaid coverage for substance use disorder services provided by community-based organizations

  • Establishes professional licensure and certification for tobacco treatment counseling

  • Prohibits substance use disorder treatment providers from using deceptive marketing practices

  • Revises licensure and regulatory requirements for residential substance use disorders treatment facilities or programs

  • Regulates residential mental health treatment facilities

  • Establishes "Gambling Treatment Diversion Court Pilot Program" with the criminal justice system.

  • Requires health insurance carriers to categorize mental health treatment and therapy received by victim of domestic violence as medically necessary treatment and provide full benefits coverage therefor.

  • Increases Medicaid reimbursement for in-person partial care and intensive outpatient behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services, and associated transportation services, for adults.

  • Requires State to take steps to create additional graduate medical education program slots focused on behavioral health care.

Passed Bills

  • Concerns state regulation of cooperative sober living residences and boarding houses generally; appropriates $100,000

  • Revises laws concerning patient referrals to substance use disorder treatment facilities (body brokering)

  • Prohibits use of deceptive marketing practices by substance use disorder treatment providers.

  • Enters New Jersey into Social Work Licensure Compact