NJ S2902

Establishes a statewide mobile crisis response system in New Jersey to provide immediate behavioral health crisis services to adults with intellectual, developmental disabilities, or mental illness, available 24/7 year-round.

Requires mobile crisis response teams staffed by licensed mental health professionals to make face-to-face contact within 24 hours of referral (or within 1 hour for emergencies) and provide up to 72 hours of initial crisis response services.

Creates temporary stabilization units licensed by the Department of Health to provide non-clinical, calming inpatient settings for up to 7 days when in-home stabilization is not possible, with at least one unit required in each of the Northern, Central, and Southern regions of the state.

Mandates designation of 9-8-8 crisis hotline centers by July 16, 2022 to coordinate crisis calls statewide and deploy mobile crisis teams, with requirements to meet National Suicide Prevention Lifeline standards and provide follow-up services.

Establishes a 9-8-8 trust fund to finance the crisis system and requires mandatory training for direct care staff at group homes on crisis de-escalation, behavioral management, and crisis recognition.