NJ A2434

Creates a 26-member Behavioral Health Services Task Force within the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services to review mental health and substance use disorder services statewide

Task force membership includes 3 ex-officio commissioners (Health, Human Services, Children and Families), 7 members appointed by the Governor, 8 by the Senate President, and 8 by the Speaker of the General Assembly, representing healthcare providers, insurers, advocacy organizations, and treatment facilities

Requires the task force to survey the current behavioral health care system county-by-county for acute, short-term, and long-term care, and identify service gaps for children, adolescents, and adults

Task force must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months, after which it will terminate

May contract with Rutgers Center for State Health Policy or similar organization to conduct research, and may solicit grants from public and private sources to fund its work