This bill proposes a supplemental appropriation of $250,000 to the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders (NJCTS) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. The funds are specifically allocated for pediatric clinical services at the Tourette Syndrome Clinic of Rutgers University, which is a collaborative effort between NJCTS and the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. The clinic provides essential services such as diagnostic assessments, social-emotional skills groups, and therapy for children, adolescents, and adults affected by Tourette Syndrome, with a focus on offering sliding scale rates for families in financial need.

The bill emphasizes the importance of these services, noting that approximately one in every 50 children aged five to 14 has a persistent tic disorder, including Tourette Syndrome, according to 2022 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The appropriation aims to enhance the clinic's capacity to deliver critical support and resources to affected individuals and their families, thereby addressing a significant public health concern. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.