NJ A3039

Allows healthcare providers to deliver behavioral health care services via telemedicine using audio-only technology (telephone), creating an exception to New Jersey's general requirement that telemedicine use interactive, real-time, two-way communication with video

Defines "behavioral health care services" as treatment for mental illness or emotional disorders of mild to moderate severity, explicitly excluding treatment for severe mental illness, severe emotional disorders, or drug and alcohol use

Amends P.L.2017, c.117 (New Jersey's telemedicine law) to create a specific carve-out allowing phone-only consultations for qualifying behavioral health services

Providers using audio-only behavioral health telemedicine remain subject to the same standard of care, licensing requirements, and recordkeeping obligations as in-person or video-based services

Takes effect immediately upon enactment