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Bill > A1804
NJ A1804
NJ A1804Requires court to provide certain defendants with referral for mental health and substance abuse evaluation.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the court to provide certain defendants with a referral for a mental health and substance abuse evaluation. Under current law, if certain conditions are met, the court is required to order the pretrial release of certain defendants. Under the provisions of this bill, upon ordering the pretrial release of a defendant, the court is to provide the defendant with a referral for a psychological or psychiatric evaluation and an evaluation for drug and alcohol dependency. The provider of the evaluation is to notify the court if the defendant completes the evaluation. However, under the bill, the court is not required to provide a referral when the court orders the pretrial release of an eligible defendant subject to the condition that the defendant undergo available psychological or psychiatric treatment, including treatment for alcohol or drug dependency, and remain in a specified institution if required for that purpose.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that when a court orders the pretrial release of a defendant, it must also provide that defendant with a referral for evaluations to assess potential mental health and substance abuse issues. This means that if a defendant is released before their trial, the court will now direct them to get checked for psychological or psychiatric conditions and for drug or alcohol dependency. The entity providing these evaluations will then inform the court whether the defendant actually completes them. However, this requirement is waived if the defendant is released under the condition that they are already undergoing such treatment, including in a specified institution if necessary.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/A1804 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2000/1804_I1.HTM |
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