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Bill > S955

NJ S955

NJ S955
Establishes Military Suicide Prevention Task Force.

summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, in conjunction with the Department of Human Services, to establish a Military Suicide Prevention Task Force. The purpose of the task force will be to reduce military suicides and provide a plan for the elimination of all military suicides. The task force will recommend comprehensive strategies aimed at addressing suicide among members of the military, active duty and veterans, and will recommend ways to establish and execute plans and programs to implement those strategies. The task force will consist of 17 members, and it will be the duty of the task force to: identify and review the issues and concerns facing active duty service members and veterans; recommend measures the State should take to address the issues and concerns, including legislation if appropriate; examine data, research, programs, and initiatives related to military suicide, including the physical, social, emotional, and mental impact of military service, with a focus on deployments; identify evidence-based best practices to increase awareness of veteran suicide prevention hot lines, in New Jersey or nationally, and other crisis resources with proven effectiveness to reduce military suicide; identify effective strategies for promoting lifelong physical, social, emotional, and mental health of service members and veterans, and develop recommendations to implement those strategies; review the laws, regulations, and public policies governing services provided to active duty service members and veterans of this State, and determine whether those services are currently being performed in the most effective manner; and determine whether those services can be performed more efficiently and effectively by a county or municipal government and whether services now being provided by a county or municipal government may be more efficiently and effectively performed by State government. The task force will submit periodic reports, no less than twice a year, concerning the findings and actions related to its duties to the Governor and the Legislature.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a 17-member Military Suicide Prevention Task Force, to be created by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in partnership with the Department of Human Services, with the primary goal of reducing and ultimately eliminating suicides among active duty service members and veterans. The task force will be responsible for identifying and reviewing the challenges faced by this population, recommending state actions including potential legislation, analyzing data and research on military suicide and its impacts, promoting awareness of suicide prevention hotlines and crisis resources, developing strategies for lifelong physical, social, emotional, and mental health, and evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of current services provided to service members and veterans, including potential shifts in responsibility between state, county, and municipal governments. The task force will be composed of ex-officio members from various state departments, along with public members appointed by legislative leaders and the Governor, representing diverse backgrounds and expertise relevant to military service and mental health, and will be required to submit reports to the Governor and Legislature at least twice a year detailing its findings and recommendations.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 01/09/2024)
(3 Companion Bills)

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