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 reporting of first responder suicides to the Department of Health (DOH). Under the bill, the chief of a squad or association of first responders in this State, or the chief's designee, is to report within a reasonable time to the DOH, in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Health (commissioner), any incident of a completed suicide by a first responder. The report is to include: (1) the month and year during which the first responder's death occurred; (2) the first responder's age, salary, and length of service as a first responder at the time of the first responder's death; (3) the race and gender of the first responder; (4) any known facts pertaining to the cause or method of suicide; and (5) the military veteran status and level of education of the first responder; The bill provides that the commissioner is to aggregate the data provided pursuant to the bill's provisions, which is to be made publicly available for use in suicide prevention and intervention studies. Under the bill, "first responder" means a paid or volunteer firefighter, paid or volunteer member of a duly incorporated first aid, emergency, ambulance, or rescue squad or association, or any other individual who, in the course of his or her employment, is dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle accident or other emergency situation for the purpose of providing medical care or other assistance.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that the leader of any first responder group, such as firefighters or ambulance squads, or their designated representative, must report completed suicides of their members to the Department of Health (DOH) in a timely manner and according to the Commissioner of Health's guidelines. These reports will include details like the month and year of death, the first responder's age, salary, and years of service, their race and gender, any known information about the cause or method of suicide, and their veteran status and education level, but will not include the individual's name or date of birth. The DOH will then compile this information into an aggregated dataset that will be made public to aid in suicide prevention research. For the purposes of this bill, a "first responder" is defined broadly to include paid or volunteer firefighters, members of first aid, emergency, ambulance, or rescue squads, and anyone dispatched to emergencies to provide medical care or assistance. This reporting requirement is in addition to any other existing legal or professional obligations.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness 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/A2653 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3000/2653_I1.HTM |
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