LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
ASSEMBLY, No. 2410
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
DATED: JULY 31, 2023
SUMMARY
Synopsis: "HOPE Initiative Act;" requires establishment of public awareness
campaign to educate citizens about dangers and causes of, and
appropriate responses to, heroin and opioid addiction.
Type of Impact: Annual increase in State expenditures.
Agencies Affected: Department of Human Services.
Office of Legislative Services Estimate
Fiscal Impact Year 1 Year 2 and Thereafter
State Cost Increase $1 million to $2 million Up to $4 million
 The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) determines that annual State expenditures will
increase by approximately $1 million to $2 million the first year the bill is in effect and up to
$4 million in subsequent years for the Department of Human Services to establish and
implement a public education and awareness campaign concerning heroin and opioid
addiction.
 The OLS notes the department’s costs may increase after the first year of the Heroin and Opioid
Drug Public Education (HOPE) Initiative, in order to convene an annual focus group and
conduct a household survey to gauge the effectiveness of the initiative, refine the campaign’s
messaging as necessary, and ensure the widespread dissemination of information required
under the bill.
BILL DESCRIPTION
This bill requires the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of
Human Services to establish and oversee the “Heroin and Opioid Drug Public Education (HOPE)
Initiative,” which is to be a public awareness and education campaign concerning the dangers and
causes of, and the appropriate responses to, heroin and opioid addiction. Under the bill, the
division will work in consultation with the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse,
Office of Legislative Services Legislative Budget and Finance Office
State House Annex Phone (609) 847-3105
P.O. Box 068 Fax (609) 777-2442
Trenton, New Jersey 08625 www.njleg.state.nj.us
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the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, and, as appropriate, the federal Drug Enforcement
Administration, to develop, coordinate, implement, and oversee the HOPE Initiative.
The bill stipulates that the department will employ a broad spectrum of media as part of the
HOPE Initiative, including social media and non-traditional forms of media, and to disseminate
information using culturally and linguistically appropriate means, in a manner that demonstrates
respect for individual dignity and cultural differences.
On at least an annual basis, the division will convene one or more focus groups and conduct a
survey of households in the State, in order to gauge the effectiveness of the HOPE Initiative. Based
on the information gathered through these means, the division will refine or improve the
information disseminated through the initiative, in order to ensure that the initiative has the greatest
positive impact on target audiences.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None received.
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS determines that annual State expenditures will increase by approximately $1 million
to $2 million the first year the bill is in effect and up to $4 million in subsequent years for the
Department of Human Services to establish and implement a public education and awareness
campaign concerning heroin and opioid addiction, as required under the bill. This estimate is
based on expenditures for the department’s public awareness campaign concerning the ReachNJ
addiction treatment hotline, which appears to be similar in scope to that proposed for the HOPE
Initiative.
The OLS notes the department’s costs may increase after the first year of the HOPE Initiative,
in order to convene an annual focus group and conduct a household survey to gauge the
effectiveness of the initiative, refine the campaign’s messaging as necessary, and ensure the
widespread dissemination of information required under the bill.
Section: Human Services
Analyst: Anne Cappabianca
Senior Fiscal Analyst
Approved: Thomas Koenig
Legislative Budget and Finance Officer
This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the
failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.
This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).