Bill > S1227

This bill establishes the Law Enforcement Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program, appropriating $3 million to fund it, and aims to address the unique mental health challenges faced by law enforcement officers and their families. Recognizing that the stressful and dangerous nature of police work can lead to mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, and that officers often fear professional repercussions for seeking help, this program will provide grants to licensed mental health providers and newly defined "peer support teams" (groups of trained law enforcement officers or their representatives who offer emotional and practical help) to deliver confidential mental health services and assistance to officers and their family members experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts. The Department of Human Services will oversee the grant application process, establish selection criteria, and publish a list of approved providers, with a goal of ensuring services are geographically accessible, meaning individuals should ideally not have to travel more than an hour for treatment.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S1227