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Bill

Bill

S 1013

Authorizes creation of Mental Health Awareness license plates.

2026-2027 Regular Session

New Jersey would authorize creation of specialty mental health awareness license plates, generating revenue while promoting mental health visibility through voluntary vehicle plate purchases.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee
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Bill Summary · S 1013

Legislative bill overview

S 1013 would authorize New Jersey to create and issue specialty license plates focused on mental health awareness. Vehicle owners could voluntarily purchase these plates, with design and revenue allocation determined through the legislative process. This follows the common practice of states offering themed specialty plates for various causes and organizations.

Why is this important

Specialty license plates serve dual purposes: they generate revenue for designated causes while increasing public visibility of important issues. Mental health awareness plates could help destigmatize mental health discussions and provide funding for mental health programs, while also allowing drivers to publicly support the cause. The bill represents a low-cost policy tool for promoting public health messaging.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue allocation uncertainty - The bill doesn't specify how plate revenues would be distributed, which could spark debate between mental health advocates, the state budget, and other causes competing for specialty plate revenue
  • Design and messaging control - Questions about who determines the plate design, messaging, and whether it adequately represents diverse mental health perspectives could become contentious
  • Administrative costs vs. benefit - Critics may argue the administrative overhead of creating and managing a new plate program outweighs the actual funding generated, similar to debates over other specialty plates

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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