This bill mandates that acute care general hospitals in New Jersey conduct psychological and psychiatric evaluations for patients treated for drug overdoses before their discharge. It establishes that these evaluations are essential for ensuring the mental health of patients recovering from substance abuse issues. Additionally, the bill requires that various health insurance plans, including those from health service corporations, medical service corporations, individual and group health insurers, health maintenance organizations, and state health benefits programs, provide coverage for these evaluations, ensuring that they are treated similarly to other medical conditions under the respective insurance contracts.

The legislation aims to enhance the support for individuals recovering from drug overdoses by integrating mental health assessments into their treatment process. It emphasizes the importance of mental health care in the recovery journey and seeks to eliminate barriers to accessing necessary psychological services by mandating insurance coverage for these evaluations. The bill will take effect seven months after its enactment and will apply to all relevant health benefits plans issued or renewed after that date.