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MD

Bill

A 1650

Requires DOT, NJTA, and SJTA to construct suicide prevention barriers at certain bridges or overpasses.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Mitchelle Drulis and 1 co-sponsor

The bill requires state authorities to assess and install suicide-prevention barriers on qualifying bridges/overpasses, or implement secondary safety measures if barriers aren’t fe

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 1650

Summary: A 1650 (New Jersey) – Suicide Prevention Barriers on Bridges and Overpasses

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill requires the construction of suicide prevention barriers on certain bridges and overpasses under state jurisdiction, across three state transportation authorities: the Department of Transportation (DOT), the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), and the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA).
  • If barriers are infeasible on a given bridge or overpass, the bill directs alternative “secondary suicide prevention measures” (e.g., surveillance, crisis-call phones, increased patrols, and informational signs).

Key Provisions

1) Definitions

  • A “suicide prevention barrier” is a physical barrier designed to reduce access to jumping from bridges/overpasses.
  • The bill uses the term consistently across each section to refer to barriers.

2) Department of Transportation (DOT) Requirement

  • Within 1 year of enactment, DOT must study all state-road/ highway bridges or overpasses under DOT jurisdiction that are not local or county structures and that pose a significant suicide threat (based on:
    • height
    • location
    • potential transportation hazards
    • past suicide occurrences at the site)
  • For each qualifying bridge/overpass, DOT must assess the feasibility and structural impact of installing a barrier and determine the appropriate barrier type.
  • DOT must erect barriers on every qualifying bridge/overpass where feasible.
  • If barriers are infeasible on a qualifying site, DOT must implement secondary measures (surveillance, crisis hotline-connected phones, increased patrols, informational signage).

3) New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) Requirement

  • Within 1 year of enactment, NJTA must study NJTA-jurisdiction bridges/overpasses that are State-road/highway via NJTA and are not local/county.
  • Consider the same criteria as DOT (height, location, hazards, suicide occurrences) and assess barrier feasibility and type.
  • Erect barriers on qualifying sites where feasible; otherwise implement secondary prevention measures as described above.

4) South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) Requirement

  • Within 1 year of enactment, SJTA must study SJTA-jurisdiction bridges/overpasses that are State-road/highway and not local/county.
  • Apply the same evaluation criteria and barrier feasibility process.
  • Install barriers on feasible sites; otherwise apply secondary prevention measures as described above.

5) Effective Date

  • The act takes effect immediately.

Who Is Affected

  • State transportation entities and the bridges/overpasses they oversee:
    • Department of Transportation (state roads/highways not local/county)
    • New Jersey Turnpike Authority (toll road system and related bridges/overpasses under its jurisdiction)
    • South Jersey Transportation Authority (bridges/overpasses under its jurisdiction)
  • The bill targets bridges/overpasses that pose a significant suicide threat, based on the study criteria and feasibility assessments.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Immediate effect on enactment; initial studies due within 1 year of enactment by each entity (DOT, NJTA, SJTA).
  • Subsequent implementation: barriers must be erected on feasible sites identified by each entity; if barriers are infeasible, secondary prevention measures must be deployed.
  • The bill sets no specified funding amount within the text provided; funding would presumably be determined as part of the implementation process.

Potential Impacts

  • Enhanced safety on selected state bridges/overpasses by reducing suicide attempts at these sites.
  • Possible capital costs for barrier installation and ongoing maintenance.
  • Complementary safety measures (surveillance, hotlines, patrols) where barriers are not feasible to install.
  • Requires coordination among three state authorities to identify and retrofit eligible structures.

This summary focuses on the bill’s substantive requirements, the affected entities, the criteria used to identify targets, and the anticipated implementation pathway.

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

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