Bill
Bill > S3316
NJ S3316
NJ S3316Establishes Military-Connected Student Mental Health Grant Program; appropriates $1 million.
summary
Introduced
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
In Committee
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 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, allocating $1 million to the Department of Education to fund it, in collaboration with the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. The program aims to provide grants to school districts with a significant number of students who are dependents of active military personnel, National Guard members, or reservists, to enhance their mental health services, including outreach and counseling, particularly for students whose parents are called to active duty. School districts must apply by demonstrating a high concentration of these "military-connected students" and outlining their needs and how grant funds will be used, with the Commissioner of Education determining grant amounts and criteria for selection, and potentially awarding multi-year grants. Both recipient school districts and the Commissioner of Education are required to submit reports on the program's impact and effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 02/05/2026)
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/S3316 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3500/3316_I1.HTM |
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