Bill
Bill > S4984
NJ S4984
NJ S4984Establishes Military-Connected Student Mental Health Grant Program; appropriates $1 million.
summary
Introduced
12/11/2025
12/11/2025
In Committee
12/11/2025
12/11/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill establishes the Military-Connected Student Mental Health Grant Program. Under the bill, the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, is required to develop and administer the Military-Connected Student Mental Health Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to award grants to school districts with high concentrations of military-connected students to expand mental health services. The Commissioner of Education would award grants, within the limit of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for the program, to selected school districts to be used to expand mental health services, provide mental health outreach to military-connected students, and provide counseling to military-connected students whose parent or guardian is called to State or federal active duty. A school district that wishes to apply for a grant is required to submit an application to the commissioner in a manner and form to be determined by the commissioner. The school district is required to demonstrate in its application that a majority of the schools in the district have high concentrations of military-connected students. In addition, the application would include various other information related to how the applicant school district would use grant funds and the impact of those funds. The commissioner is required to develop criteria for the evaluation of applications for grant funds and determine the amounts allocated to selected school districts. The commissioner may award multi-year grants. Under the bill, each school district that receives a grant is required to report certain information to the Commissioner of Education and the commissioner is subsequently required to report program-related information to the Governor and the Legislature. Finally, the bill appropriates $1 million to the Department of Education for the purposes of the program.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Military-Connected Student Mental Health Grant Program, a state-level initiative designed to support students with parents serving in the military by providing mental health services. The program will allocate $1 million to school districts with high concentrations of military-connected students, defined as students with parents or guardians in the armed forces, National Guard, or reserve components. School districts can apply for grants to expand mental health services, provide mental health outreach, and offer counseling specifically for students whose parents are called to active duty. Applicants must demonstrate the need for additional mental health resources and provide details about their current services, potential impact, and the number of students who might benefit. The Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, will develop evaluation criteria for grant applications and may award multi-year grants. Recipients will be required to submit annual reports detailing how they used the funds, including information on the number of students served, improvements in mental health services, and any notable changes in school metrics like attendance, achievement, and school climate. After two years, the Commissioner of Education must submit a comprehensive report to the Governor and Legislature evaluating the program's effectiveness and potential for continuation or expansion.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 12/11/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4984 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S5000/4984_I1.HTM |
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