Bill

Bill > A3211


NJ A3211

NJ A3211
Requires DHS to provide psychiatric service dogs to first responders, health care workers, and other frontline workers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


summary

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

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires that in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Human Services (DHS) contract with a recognized service dog training agency or school to provide psychiatric service dogs trained by the agency or school to first responders, health care workers, and other frontline workers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder due to the pandemic. As used in the bill: "post-traumatic stress disorder" means a mental illness classified within the current version of the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) with symptoms that include, but are not limited to, anxiety, reclusiveness, night terrors, startle reaction, neurochemical imbalance, dissociative flashback, startle response, sensory overload, social withdrawal, hyper-vigilance, and hallucinations; and "psychiatric service dog" means a dog trained to assist an individual who has a psychiatric or mental disability, including post-traumatic stress disorder. To be eligible to receive a trained psychiatric service dog from the DHS, an individual must: be a State resident; be a first responder, health care worker, or frontline worker; suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and qualify as limited in their ability to function due to mental illness under the Americans with Disabilities Act "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990" due to COVID-19, as certified by a physician or mental health provider; apply to receive a trained psychiatric service dog on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Human Services; and adhere to the standards established by the commissioner for receiving a trained psychiatric service dog including, but not limited to, providing humane shelter and care for the service dog and obeying all State laws concerning the prevention of cruelty to animals. An individual who meets the eligibility requirements of the bill will: be provided with a trained psychiatric service dog, at no cost to the individual; procure a license and register the service dog in the municipality where the individual resides; and be responsible for all costs relating to the dog's shelter and care. An individual who receives a psychiatric service dog from the DHS would have the option to maintain ownership of the psychiatric service dog. If the individual opts not to maintain ownership of the service dog, that individual would return the service dog to the DHS, and the DHS would then return the service dog to the training agency or school that trained the dog. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders, including PTSD, are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults, or 18.1 percent of the population, every year. The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to increase stress and anxiety, both because of the fear of catching the virus and also because of uncertainty about how the outbreak will affect us socially and economically during the pandemic and for years to come. Individuals who may respond more strongly to the stress of the pandemic include, but are not limited to, older individuals, individuals with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, health care workers, first responders, frontline workers, and individuals with PTSD. A service dog is specifically task-trained to help an individual with a disability, including PTSD, that substantially limits one or more life activities. This bill would allow individuals suffering from PTSD due to the COVID-19 pandemic to receive service dogs which can help alleviate the stress, grief, and anxiety, and other PTSD symptoms that they may be experiencing.

AI Summary

This bill requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to contract with a recognized service dog training agency or school to provide psychiatric service dogs to first responders, healthcare workers, and other frontline workers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible individuals must be a New Jersey resident, work as a first responder, healthcare worker, or frontline worker, suffer from PTSD due to COVID-19, and meet other requirements set by the Commissioner of Human Services. Eligible individuals will receive a trained psychiatric service dog at no cost, must obtain a license and register the dog, and be responsible for the dog's care. Individuals have the option to maintain ownership of the dog, but if they decline, the dog will be returned to the training agency. The bill also directs the Commissioner to adopt rules and regulations to implement the program.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 01/09/2024)

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