NJ
New Jersey Assembly Bill A1571

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A1571

Introduced
1/9/24  

Caption

Requires children's psychiatric facilities to have on-site staff members supervise patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Impact

The introduction of A1571 has the potential to impact state laws governing children's psychiatric services significantly. By establishing the requirement for 24/7 supervision, the bill aligns the staffing protocols of children's psychiatric facilities with those already in place in children's group homes and juvenile detention centers. This move is likely to enhance the level of care available in these facilities, ensuring that children get timely assistance and oversight during their treatment.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1571 requires children's psychiatric facilities in New Jersey to provide continuous, on-site supervision of patients round the clock, seven days a week. The bill is aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of children receiving treatment in these facilities by mandating that designated staff members be present at all times. This legislative measure reflects a responsiveness to previous concerns about the adequacy of care in facilities that cater to the mental health needs of children.

Contention

While the bill has drawn support for its intention to improve child safety, it may also face challenges related to the implications for funding and staffing within these facilities. Critics may argue that such mandatory staffing requirements could strain resources and lead to financial difficulties for smaller facilities that struggle to meet the regulations. The debate may hinge on balancing the necessary oversight with the operational realities faced by these facilities, making adequate service provision a focal point in discussions surrounding the bill's passage.

Companion Bills

NJ S1786

Carry Over Requires children's psychiatric facilities to have designated staff members visually supervise patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NJ A4952

Carry Over Requires children's psychiatric facilities to have on-site staff members supervise patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Previously Filed As

NJ A4952

Requires children's psychiatric facilities to have on-site staff members supervise patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NJ S1786

Requires children's psychiatric facilities to have designated staff members visually supervise patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NJ A4246

Requires children's psychiatric facilities to have designated staff members visually supervise patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NJ A4453

Requires children's psychiatric facilities to have designated staff members visually supervise patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NJ AB226

Children’s crisis psychiatric residential treatment facilities.

NJ AB2317

Children’s psychiatric residential treatment facilities.

NJ SB2421

PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL FACILY

NJ HB3640

PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL FACILY

NJ HF2553

Mental health provider staffing, documentation, and diagnostic assessment requirements modified; certification process required; assertive community treatment and behavioral health home services staff requirements modified; adult rehabilitative mental health services provider entity standards modified; managed care contract requirements modified; grant data and reporting requirements modified; and family peer support services eligibility modified.

NJ HB5030

Relating to the provision of certain mental and behavioral health services under Medicaid, Medicaid coverage and reimbursement for those services, and the regulation of psychiatric residential treatment facilities; requiring an occupational license.

Similar Bills

NJ A4952

Requires children's psychiatric facilities to have on-site staff members supervise patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NJ S1786

Requires children's psychiatric facilities to have designated staff members visually supervise patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NJ A4246

Requires children's psychiatric facilities to have designated staff members visually supervise patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NJ A4453

Requires children's psychiatric facilities to have designated staff members visually supervise patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

MT HB171

Revise education laws related to residential treatment facilities

NJ A2708

Establishes procedures for involuntary civil commitment of children.

MN HF1198

Child care assistance expanded, grants and rules regarding children's mental health expanded and modified, transition to community initiative modified, staff training requirements modified, covered transportation services modified, coverage of clinical care coordination modified, children's long-term stays in emergency room rules modified, rural family response and stabilization services pilot program established, and money appropriated.

MN SF1174

Children's mental health provisions modifications and appropriations