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A 4434

Requires DHS and DOH to study disordered eating; establishes "Disordered Eating Prevention Research Grant Pilot Program."*

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Reginald Atkins and 3 co-sponsors

NJ to study disordered eating and run a three-year DHS/DOH prevention research grant pilot to identify causes, gaps, barriers, and equity-focused outreach.

Transferred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4434

Summary — A4434 (1R): Study of Disordered Eating; Disordered Eating Prevention Research Grant Pilot Program

Status
- Bill No.: A4434 (First Reprint)
- Introduced: Feb 4, 2025 (assembly introduction May 20, 2024)
- Latest actions: Passed Assembly (47-23-2) on 12/19/2024; received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (also referenced to Governmental Operations 2/4/2025)
- Sponsors: Charles Lavine (primary) et al.; co‑sponsors include Andrew Hevesi, Nily Rozic, Michael Fitzpatrick, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, and others
- Related/companion: S3329, S1255; several prior‑session bills listed

Purpose and intent
- Require the State to study disordered eating in New Jersey (causes, prevention, reduction) and to fund a limited research grant pilot to better understand root causes, treatment gaps, and risk/protective factors across age groups and impacted communities.
- Emphasis on outreach and equity for populations that experience disproportionate harm or under‑treatment (youth, older adults, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals).

Key provisions
1. Joint study and report
- The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DHS) and the Department of Health (DOH) must conduct a study on disordered eating.
- Findings and recommendations are to be submitted to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months of the bill’s effective date.

  1. Study requirements (minimum)

    • Identify key information about disordered eating (risk and protective factors).
    • Identify gaps in treatment and barriers to care.
    • Evaluate prevention strategies, including addressing weight‑based discrimination and bias.
    • Recommend public outreach and awareness steps, with a focus on impacted communities.

  2. Authority and partnerships

    • DHS/DOH may contract with third parties for focus groups, interviews, surveys, and collaborative convenings.
    • DHS/DOH may partner with the Department of Education to inform teachers, school staff, students, and parents.
    • The agencies may accept gifts, grants, and donations from public or private sources.

  3. Disordered Eating Prevention Research Grant Pilot Program

    • Established as a three‑year pilot within DHS (Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services).
    • Provides financial assistance to eligible applicants (individuals, nonprofits, for‑profits conducting research or serving those with disordered eating) to study root causes, treatment barriers/gaps, and risk/protective factors across youth, adults, and older residents.
    • DHS to set eligibility criteria, award amounts (based on available resources), administration dates, and reporting requirements.
    • DHS must report to Governor and Legislature summarizing the number of recipients, award amounts, and summaries of recipients’ written reports.

Committee amendments and changes from introduced version
- Removed the previously proposed appropriation; agencies must use available funds (no new dedicated General Fund appropriation).
- Eliminated the originally proposed Office of Disordered Eating Prevention in DOH; instead, duties are assigned to DHS and DOH and the pilot is housed in DHS.
- Restructured provisions, added the three‑year pilot program, revised reporting, and set a three‑year expiration for the bill’s provisions.

Who is affected
- State agencies: Department of Human Services (DHS), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Education (for outreach activities).
- Researchers, community organizations, and service providers eligible for pilot grants.
- Populations of focus: youth, older residents, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals — and broader NJ residents experiencing disordered eating.

Timeline and procedural notes
- Study report due within 18 months of the bill’s effective date.
- Grant pilot runs for three years; bill provisions expire after three years per amendments.
- Agencies may leverage external funding sources (grants/donations) to offset costs.

Fiscal impact
- Office of Legislative Services: indeterminate increase in State expenditures over three years (one‑time study costs, administration of the grant pilot, and grants awarded). Some indeterminate costs may accrue to the Department of Education for outreach. Use of gifts/grants could offset State costs.

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

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