Bill
Bill > A5711
NJ A5711
NJ A5711Requires DOT, NJTA, and SJTA to construct suicide prevention barriers at certain bridges or overpasses.
summary
Introduced
05/22/2025
05/22/2025
In Committee
05/22/2025
05/22/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Department of Transportation (department), the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), and the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to erect suicide prevention barriers, as defined in this bill, on certain bridges or overpasses that are determined to pose a significant suicide threat. Within one year of the enactment of this bill, the department, the NJTA, and the SJTA are each required to conduct and complete a study to identify any bridge or overpass carrying a State road or highway that is under its jurisdiction, is not a local or county bridge or overpass, and that poses a significant suicide threat. To determine whether a bridge or overpass poses a significant suicide threat, the department, the NJTA, and the SJTA are each to consider the height of the bridge or overpass; the location of the bridge or overpass; potential transportation hazards; and information on the occurrence of suicide at the bridge or overpass. The department, the NJTA, and the SJTA are each to consider for any bridge or overpass included in the study, the feasibility of adding a suicide prevention barrier to each, including an assessment of the structural impact of constructing a suicide prevention barrier on each. The department, the NJTA, and the SJTA are to determine the type of suicide prevention barrier for each bridge or overpass under their respective jurisdiction. In the event that erecting a suicide prevention barrier is infeasible on a bridge or overpass, the bill requires the erection of secondary suicide prevention methods, including, but not limited to: surveillance systems, emergency phones connected to crisis hotlines, increased patrols, and informational signs to direct individuals to support services.
AI Summary
This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT), New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to address suicide prevention on state bridges and overpasses by conducting comprehensive studies and implementing protective measures. Within one year of enactment, each agency must identify bridges or overpasses under their jurisdiction that potentially pose significant suicide risks, considering factors like height, location, transportation hazards, and previous suicide incidents. A "suicide prevention barrier" is defined as a physical barrier designed to reduce access or deter individuals from attempting suicide by jumping from an elevated structure. If a bridge is determined to have a high suicide risk, the respective agency must install a suicide prevention barrier, taking into account the structural feasibility of such an installation. In cases where installing a physical barrier is not possible, the agencies are required to implement alternative prevention methods, which may include surveillance systems, emergency phones connected to crisis hotlines, increased patrols, and informational signs directing individuals to support services. The goal of the bill is to proactively prevent suicide attempts at high-risk bridges and overpasses by creating physical and supportive interventions.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 05/22/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5711 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6000/5711_I1.HTM |
Loading...