The Mental and Behavioral Health for Hispanics and Latinos Act aims to enhance mental and behavioral health services for Hispanic and Latino populations in New Jersey. The bill mandates the Commissioner of Health to collaborate with advocacy and mental health organizations to create an outreach and education strategy that addresses the unique cultural and linguistic needs of these communities. This strategy will focus on increasing awareness of mental health symptoms, providing culturally appropriate interventions, engaging community members in educational material development, and addressing the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on mental health.

To ensure accountability, the Commissioner of Health is required to submit annual reports to the Governor and the Legislature, evaluating the effectiveness of the implemented strategies in improving mental health outcomes. Additionally, the bill allocates $1 million from the General Fund to support these initiatives. The act is set to take effect 90 days after its enactment.