This bill aims to enhance community mental health programs by explicitly including mental health services for veterans and ensuring they are not denied access to county mental health services. It amends existing legislation to declare that the public policy of New Jersey includes the provision of mental health services to veterans as part of the community mental health program framework. Additionally, it modifies the criteria for reimbursement or advancement grants from the Department of Human Services to include veterans in need of mental health services, thereby expanding the target populations eligible for these grants.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that veterans who meet the eligibility requirements for county mental health services cannot be denied these services based solely on their veteran status or while awaiting eligibility determinations from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It mandates that county mental health programs inform veterans of their potential eligibility for VA services and may collaborate with community-based organizations to provide specialized mental health services for veterans. The bill also requires the Department of Human Services to adopt necessary regulations to implement these provisions, with an immediate effect upon enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30:9A-1, 30:9A-9.2