Bill
Bill > A4264
NJ A4264
NJ A4264Directs DOE to develop guidelines for school districts concerning student mental health services.
summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill directs the Department of Education, in partnership with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children and Families, to develop and distribute to school districts guidelines for providing mental health services to students. The purpose of the guidelines is to assist school districts in enhancing and improving mental health services for students. Under the bill, the guidelines are to be reviewed and updated annually by the Department of Education. In developing and updating the guidelines, the department is required to seek the input and recommendations of school district administrators, educators, mental health professionals, and other appropriate stakeholders. The guidelines established under the bill, at minimum, are to include recommendations on: (1) implementing a quality-based multi-tiered student mental health system of care that prevents mental health concerns and mitigates trauma; (2) establishing sustainable school partnerships with community mental health service providers; (3) providing mental health services to English language learners; (4) providing culturally sensitive mental health services; (5) incorporating new technology and innovations into existing mental health services including, but not limited to, providing mental health services to students through virtual or remote means; (6) evaluating the effectiveness of available student mental health services; (7) identifying and maximizing the use of available State, federal, nonprofit, and private funding to support a multi-tiered student mental health system of care; and (8) the ratios of student mental health providers to students. Under the bill, the Department of Education is to post the guidelines on its Internet website. The bill also requires the Department of Education, in partnership with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children and Families, to create and maintain a database consisting of available mental health resource providers throughout the State. The database is to be available to school districts, as well as students and their families.
AI Summary
This bill directs the Department of Education, working with the Departments of Human Services and Children and Families, to create and share guidelines with school districts on how to best provide mental health services to students, aiming to improve and expand these services. These guidelines, which will be reviewed and updated annually, must consider input from educators, mental health professionals, and others, and will cover crucial areas such as implementing a comprehensive, multi-level system of care to prevent mental health issues and address trauma, building partnerships with community mental health providers, offering services to English language learners and ensuring cultural sensitivity, using technology like virtual services, evaluating the effectiveness of current services, finding and using various funding sources, and determining appropriate ratios of mental health providers to students. The Department of Education will also post these guidelines and related professional development resources online, along with information about the Division of Children's System of Care. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a statewide database of mental health resource providers accessible to schools, students, and families, and will take effect immediately, applying to the school year after its enactment.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 02/19/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A4264 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4500/4264_I1.HTM |
Loading...