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New JerseyS4413221st Legislature (2026-2027)SenateWALLET

Establishes School-based Partnerships for Access and Resilience for Kids program in DCF; requires school districts to develop mental health support and partnership programs. **

Sponsored By: Linda S. Carter (Democratic), Andrea Katz (Democratic), Vincent M. Kearney (Democratic), Nicholas P. Scutari (Democratic), Joseph F. Vitale (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Student mental health pilot expands statewide

The law creates SPARK, the School-Based Partnerships for Access and Resilience for Kids program, within New Jersey's children and families department. Its 18-month pilot starts January 1, 2027, in up to ten districts selected with education officials and the clinical navigator. The navigator is the state's Child Collaborative Mental Health Care Program contractor, working with a participating health system. Services include psychiatric consultation, assessments, referrals, short-term medication management, care between providers, and crisis-related clearance and school-return support. The navigator also trains districts, advises school leaders, and runs a secure portal, with technology contractors allowed. The portal shares student behavioral health incidents, screening results, threat assessments, and safety plans among schools, the navigator, and health system. The department must set pilot measures and report results and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 60 days after the pilot ends. After the pilot, all districts must participate unless the department recommends against statewide expansion; no calendar date is specified. Districts must report program data annually, and the department must publish those data on a searchable public website.

More mental health support for schoolchildren

New Jersey public school districts must create mental health support programs under state guidelines developed with education officials. Each public school must offer services through designated staff, a community provider, or the New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services program. Guidelines must cover patient privacy, requests for outside-provider evaluations, and consistent practices across districts. They must also cover written return-to-school plans after a student's mental health crisis. These provisions give no start date.

State seeks mental health app for families

New Jersey's children and families department must seek proposals for a state contract for a mobile mental health app. The app is intended to offer age-appropriate information and resources for all school-aged youth and their families. This requirement does not guarantee a contract award or set a date when an app becomes available.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Linda S. Carter

    Democratic • House

  • Andrea Katz

    Democratic • House

  • Vincent M. Kearney

    Democratic • House

  • Nicholas P. Scutari

    Democratic • Senate

  • Joseph F. Vitale

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Roy Freiman

    Democratic • House

  • Shanique Speight

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Swain

    Democratic • House

  • Chris Tully

    Democratic • House

  • Anthony S. Verrelli

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 204 • No: 12

Senate vote • 6/30/2026

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 102 • No: 6 • Other: 12

House vote • 6/30/2026

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 71 • No: 0 • Other: 8

Senate vote • 6/30/2026

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 31 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor — P.L.2026, c.92.

    9/28/2026Governor

  2. Passed Assembly, PBH — (71-0-8)

    6/30/2026House

  3. Substituted for A5235 (2R)

    6/30/2026House

  4. Received in Assembly, Without Reference, 2nd Reading in Assembly

    6/30/2026House

  5. Passed Senate — (31-6)

    6/30/2026Senate

  6. REP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate

    6/28/2026Senate

  7. Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

    6/11/2026Senate

  8. REP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate

    6/11/2026Senate

  9. Introduced, 1st Reading in Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee

    6/8/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • 7/2/26; 2R

    7/2/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Budget and Appropriations (6/28/26 2R)

    7/1/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Budget and Appropriations Substitute (6/28/26 1R)

    6/29/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • 6/25/26; 1R

    6/25/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • As Introduced

    6/12/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens (6/11/26 1R)

    6/12/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Substitute (6/11/26)

    6/12/2026

    HTMLPDF

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