WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 4502

Establishes telecommunication fee to support Statewide behavioral health crisis system of care.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Diegnan and 5 co-sponsors

New Jersey bill establishes telecommunications fee to fund statewide behavioral health crisis system including hotlines, mobile teams, and stabilization facilities.

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
#health #humansvcs
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4502

Legislative bill overview

S 4502 establishes a new telecommunications fee in New Jersey to fund a comprehensive statewide behavioral health crisis system of care. The bill creates a dedicated revenue stream through charges on telephone services to support mental health and substance abuse crisis intervention infrastructure. This represents a user-fee approach to financing mental health emergency response systems.

Why is this important

Behavioral health crises—including suicidal ideation, acute mental illness episodes, and substance abuse emergencies—currently strain emergency services and emergency rooms. A dedicated funding mechanism could enable 24/7 crisis hotlines, mobile crisis teams, and stabilization facilities, reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and improving outcomes. This directly affects public health infrastructure and how communities respond to mental health emergencies.

Potential points of contention

  • Fee impact on consumers: The telecommunications surcharge increases costs for all phone users regardless of whether they utilize crisis services, raising equity concerns about funding mechanisms
  • Fee adequacy and scope: Whether the revenue generated will sufficiently fund a comprehensive system or if additional appropriations will be needed; unclear which services are included
  • Alternative funding mechanisms: Debate over whether general tax funding or insurance-based models would be more equitable than a telecom-specific fee that may disadvantage rural or lower-income users with fewer service options

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

Sign in to ask a question.