WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 4095

Establishes Firefighter Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program; appropriates $1 million.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Kristin Corrado and 2 co-sponsors

Creates a state grant program with $1 million to fund mental health services, crisis support, and related resources for New Jersey firefighters.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4095

Bill Summary: S 4095 (New Jersey, 2026 Session)

Title

Establishes Firefighter Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program; appropriates $1 million.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a state-administered grant program to support mental health resources and services specifically for firefighters.
  • Address mental health needs within the firefighting community by providing targeted funding to access critical mental health support, crisis intervention, and related services.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of the program

    • Creates the Firefighter Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program within the appropriate state agency (the bill text specifies the administering agency; the summary notes the program as a State-run grant mechanism).
    • Aims to improve access to mental health services for firefighters experiencing stress, trauma, or other mental health challenges related to their duties.

  • Funding and appropriation

    • Authorizes and appropriates $1,000,000 for the initial grant program funding.
    • The bill may specify whether funds are one-time or ongoing annually; the summary notes an appropriation amount but does not confirm ongoing funding language. Further text would confirm annual appropriations or replenishment.

  • Grant administration and eligibility (as typically specified in such bills)

    • Likely sets eligibility criteria for fire departments, firefighters, or related entities to apply for grants.
    • May outline allowable uses of funds (e.g., hiring mental health professionals, providing peer support programs, training, and access to counseling services).
    • Could establish reporting, oversight, and accountability requirements for recipients (e.g., progress reports, use of funds, outcomes).

  • Program administration and oversight

    • Defines responsibility for administering the program (likely a state department or office).
    • May include performance metrics or evaluation components to assess impact on firefighter mental health outcomes.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Firefighters and fire departments or related fire service organizations in New Jersey.
  • Indirect beneficiaries: Families of firefighters and the broader public, through improved firefighter mental health and job performance.
  • Potentially affected state agencies/entities responsible for administering the grant program.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced and referred: The bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee on May 4, 2026.
  • Next steps: The committee would hold hearings, consider amendments, and vote on whether to advance to the full Senate. If advanced, the bill would move through additional legislative steps (e.g., consideration by the Assembly, potential reconciliation, and final passage) before any potential gubernatorial action.
  • Effective date: The bill’s text would specify when the program and appropriated funds become effective, including any applicability to grants awarded after enactment or revised budget years.

Notes

  • Co-sponsors: Britnee Timberlake and Angela McKnight.
  • The summary does not specify eligible grant recipients beyond general stakeholders in firefighting and does not detail application procedures, matching requirements, or reporting standards; those details would be in the bill’s full text.

This summary provides an accessible overview of S 4095, highlighting the bill’s goal to establish a $1 million Firefighter Critical Mental Health Assistance Grant Program in New Jersey, its likely structure, and its potential impact on firefighters and fire departments. For precise provisions, eligibility criteria, and implementation timelines, the full bill text and subsequent committee amendments should be consulted.

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

Sign in to ask a question.