This bill establishes the community crisis response team program as a permanent initiative, transitioning from its previous status as a pilot program. It amends existing law to allow the Attorney General to operate the program in specific counties, including Camden, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, and Passaic. The bill also outlines the process for grant applications, specifying that eligible municipalities and community-based organizations can apply for funding to support the operation of community crisis response teams. The Attorney General is tasked with developing a request for proposals and announcing grant awards, with a maximum of $2 million available per municipality each year.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $6 million for fiscal year 2027 and mandates that the Department of Law and Public Safety request $6 million annually starting in fiscal year 2028 to support the program's activities and staffing. The legislation emphasizes the importance of community engagement and the diversion of behavioral health calls from law enforcement, ensuring that the program prioritizes human service interventions. The Attorney General is required to publish an annual report on the program's status and outcomes, contributing to transparency and accountability in the implementation of community crisis response models in New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:17B-236.5, 52:17B-236.6, 52:17B-236.7