TRENTON, N.J. – The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee is poised to consider bills lowering the age minors can consent to behavioral health treatment Thursday, which Assemblyman John Azzariti says is an affront to parental rights and diminishes the importance of family engagement. Sen. Joseph Vitale’s...
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TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis’ bill easing the mental health practitioner shortage by entering New Jersey into an interstate counseling compact was signed into law Tuesday. “More people in New Jersey will now be able to more quickly receive the mental health treatment they so desperately need,” Matsikoudis (R-Union)...
TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis’ bill easing the mental health practitioner shortage by entering New Jersey into an interstate counseling compact passed the Assembly on Thursday. The measure (A5311) provides for licensure reciprocity so that licensed counselors can provide services in any member state via telehealth without the...
TRENTON, N.J. – Flaws in New Jersey’s legislative process were exposed Thursday when the Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council testified in the Assembly Women and Children’s Committee that they weren’t originally consulted on legislation requiring them to prepare a report on suicide prevention instruction in schools. The claim caused...
TRENTON, N.J. – Aiming to increase access to mental health services, the Assembly Health Committee on Monday advanced a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis to enter New Jersey into an interstate counseling compact that provides for licensure reciprocity. “Following the pandemic, which increased the demand for mental health...
TRENTON, N.J. – Recognized in Trenton as a champion of mental health, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn is being honored as a community advocate by Good Grief, a nonprofit that offers grief support and education, at their annual gala on Wednesday, Oct. 25. “Many of my legislative priorities like increasing mental...
TRENTON, N.J. – Veteran and active duty military suicides account for more deaths since 2010 than combat mortalities from the Vietnam War and post-9/11 conflicts combined. The mental health crisis afflicting military personnel needs more attention, Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney says. With the Senate resolution, sponsored by Sens. Kristin...
TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblyman Brian Bergen is marveling that Gov. Phil Murphy and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer—two governors that imposed some of the harshest pandemic restrictions in the nation—are hosting a one-day event on Wednesday about teen mental health at the MGM Grand Detroit. Lockdowns and social isolation, brought...
TRENTON, N.J. – Record-high rates of suicide, depression and poor mental health indicators among teens should be met with increased funding for in-school services, not an outsourced experiment, say Assemblywomen Kim Eulner and Marilyn Piperno. The Monmouth County lawmakers are specifically criticizing Gov. Phil Murphy’s $43 million proposal to...
TRENTON, N.J. – Telehealth providers, especially those offering mental health and substance abuse counseling, are encountering more medical emergencies, say Assemblywomen Nancy Munoz and DeAnne DeFuccio. Their bill requiring telehealth providers to coordinate the emergency care of patients in need during a virtual visit passed the full Assembly on...