Bill Text: NJ A4470 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Establishes Behavioral Health Services Task Force.*

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-12-20 - Received in the Assembly, 2nd Reading on Concurrence [A4470 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2016-A4470-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4470

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

217th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JANUARY 10, 2017

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  GARY S. SCHAER

District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)

Assemblywoman  VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE

District 37 (Bergen)

Assemblywoman  PAMELA R. LAMPITT

District 6 (Burlington and Camden)

Assemblywoman  SHAVONDA E. SUMTER

District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Benson

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Establishes Behavioral Health Services Task Force.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Budget Committee on June 19, 2017, with amendments.

  

An Act establishing a task force to study and make recommendations regarding the provision of behavioral health care services ¹[; makes an appropriation]¹.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  There is established in the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services the Behavioral Health Services Task Force. 

     b.    The purpose of the task force shall be to review and analyze the structure and delivery of behavioral health services in New Jersey and make recommendations for legislation or other such action as it deems appropriate with regard to improving, expanding, and facilitating the provision of behavioral health services to the citizens of this State. Behavioral health services reviewed and analyzed by the task force shall include both services for individuals with mental health concerns and substance use disorder.

     c.     The task force shall consist of ¹[22] 24¹ members who are selected to represent a geographically diverse representation of New Jersey, as follows:

     (1)   the Commissioners of Health, Human Services, and Children and Families, or their designees, who shall serve ex officio;

     (2)   ¹[Five] Seven¹ public members to be appointed by the Governor, as follows:  one person upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies; one person upon the recommendation of the National Alliance on Mental Illness New Jersey; one person upon the recommendation of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey; one person upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Hospital Association who represents an acute care entity;¹one person upon the recommendation of the Society of Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses of the New Jersey State Nurses Association; one person upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association;¹ and one person upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Primary Care Association;

     (3)   Seven public members to be appointed by the President of the Senate, as follows:  one person upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians; one person upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Association of Health Plans; one psychiatrist upon the recommendation of the Medical Society of New Jersey; one representative of an entity which is designated by the State to provide screening services, as defined in section 2 of P.L.1987, c.116 (C.30:4-27.2); one representative of an organization which works with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities; one representative of an organization which works with individuals who have substance use disorder; and one representative of an entity which provides early intervention support services through a contract with the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services; and

     (4)   Seven public members to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, as follows:  one representative of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care; one person upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Hospital Association; one representative of the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers; one person upon the recommendation of the Advocates for Children of New Jersey; one representative of a outpatient treatment provider; one representative of an entity that provides community social services; and one health care provider, upon the recommendation of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who specializes in treating children and adolescents.

     d.  Vacancies in the membership of the task force shall be filled in the same manner provided for the original appointments.

     e.     The task force shall organize as soon as practicable following the appointment of its members, and shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among the members.  The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the task force.

     f.     The public members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and within the limits of funds available to the task force.

     g.    The task force shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be made available to it for its purposes.

     h.    The Department of Human Services shall provide staff support to the task force.

 

     2.    a.  The duties of the Behavioral Health Services Task Force, established by section 1 of this act, shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1)   conducting a survey of the current behavioral health care system on a county by county basis for acute, short-term, and long-term care;

     (2)   identifying gaps in the current behavioral health care system for the delivery of care for children, adolescents, and adults on a county by county basis for acute, short-term, and long-term care; and

     (3)   making recommendations to:

     (a)   ensure access to quality emergency behavioral health care in a timely manner;

     (b)   coordinate services among providers;

     (c)   facilitate access to comprehensive behavioral health care and treatment;

     (d)   maximize the effective use of available funding;

     (e)   establish new programs or revise existing programs;

     (f)   promote enhanced communication and information exchanges; and

     (g)   any other matters the task force deems necessary and appropriate.

     b.    The task force may contract with the Rutgers Center for State Health Policy, or a similar organization, to conduct the survey of the current behavioral health care system and to conduct any other analysis or research the task force anticipates will contribute to the ability of the task force to fulfill the duties required of it pursuant to this section.  

     c.     The task force may solicit and receive grants and other funds that are made available for the task force's purposes by any governmental, public, not-for-profit, or for-profit agency, including funds that are made available under any federal or State law, regulations, or program.

     d.    No later than 18 months following the effective date of this act, the task force shall report to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), its findings and recommendations, including actionable steps which can be taken in regard to the provision of behavioral health services in New Jersey.  The task force shall terminate upon submission of the report.

 

     ¹[3. The Department of the Treasury shall appropriate $200,000 to effectuate the establishment, operation, and activities of the task force established by this act.]¹

 

     ¹[4.] 3.¹     This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire upon submission of the task force's report required to be prepared pursuant to section 2 of this act.