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Bill > A1673

NJ A1673

NJ A1673
"Right to Mental Health for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Act"; establishes certain requirements concerning provision of mental health services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
02/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

"Right to Mental Health for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Act"; establishes certain requirements concerning provision of mental health services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

AI Summary

This bill establishes comprehensive requirements for providing mental health services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, recognizing them as an underserved population with unique communication and cultural needs. The legislation defines key terms and mandates that certified mental health professionals offer culturally affirmative and linguistically appropriate services in the client's primary method of communication, which could include American Sign Language, English-based sign systems, or oral communication methods. The bill requires the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to recruit and develop qualified professionals, monitor service quality, provide funding, and create a certification process for mental health professionals who understand deaf culture and communication. A significant provision establishes an advisory committee comprising at least six deaf or hard of hearing individuals, along with other stakeholders, to provide guidance on implementing these services. The bill also ensures that clients have access to one-on-one mental health services with professionals fluent in their primary communication method, and if such services are not locally available, alternative options like telemedicine or interpreter services must be provided. The ultimate goal is to address the complex communication and mental health challenges faced by individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, ensuring they receive culturally sensitive and effective mental health care.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (63)

Pam Lampitt (D)*,  Carol Murphy (D)*,  Heather Simmons (D)*,  Reginald Atkins (D),  Bob Auth (R),  John Azzariti (R),  Rosaura Bagolie (D),  David Bailey (D),  Al Barlas (R),  Brian Bergen (R),  Clinton Calabrese (D),  Linda Carter (D),  Robert Clifton (R),  Alixon Collazos-Gill (D),  Herbert Conaway (D),  Joe Danielsen (D),  Wayne DeAngelo (D),  Chris DePhillips (R),  John DiMaio (R),  Margie Donlon (D),  Mitchelle Drulis (D),  Aura Dunn (R),  Dawn Fantasia (R),  Vicky Flynn (R),  Roy Freiman (D),  Shama Haider (D),  Garnet Hall (D),  Dan Hutchison (D),  Michael Inganamort (R),  Paul Kanitra (R),  Robert Karabinchak (D),  Andrea Katz (D),  Yvonne Lopez (D),  Julio Marenco (D),  Michele Matsikoudis (R),  Barbara McCann Stamato (D),  Greg McGuckin (R),  Cody Miller (D),  Bill Moen (D),  Nancy Muñoz (R),  Gregory Myhre (R),  Ellen Park (D),  Luanne Peterpaul (D),  Erik Peterson (R),  Eliana Pintor Marin (D),  Annette Quijano (D),  Jessica Ramirez (D),  Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D),  Gabriel Rodriguez (D),  Brian Rumpf (R),  William Sampson (D),  Alex Sauickie (R),  Gerry Scharfenberger (R),  Alexander Schnall (D),  Shanique Speight (D),  Sterley Stanley (D),  Shavonda Sumter (D),  Lisa Swain (D),  Claire Swift (R),  Mike Torrissi (R),  Cleopatra Tucker (D),  Michael Venezia (D),  Anthony Verrelli (D), 

Last Action

Substituted by S1067 (2R) (on 02/27/2025)
(3 Companion Bills)

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