[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 2293

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED JANUARY 27, 2020

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  MILA M. JASEY

District 27 (Essex and Morris)

Assemblyman  JAMES J. KENNEDY

District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)

Assemblyman  WILLIAM F. MOEN, JR.

District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywomen Vainieri Huttle, Timberlake, Speight, McKnight, Carter, Assemblyman Holley, Assemblywoman Lampitt, Assemblyman Freiman, Assemblywomen Lopez, Downey, Assemblyman Houghtaling, Assemblywoman Murphy, Assemblymen Stanley, Armato, Assemblywomen Swain, DiMaso and Tucker

SYNOPSIS

     Requires institutions of higher education to implement suicide prevention programs and raise awareness of mental health services.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As amended by the General Assembly on March 1, 2021.

An Act concerning suicide prevention programs at institutions of higher education and amending P.L.2016, c.18.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

      1.   Section 2 of P.L.2016, c.18 (C.18A:3B-73) is amended to read as follows:

      2.   a.  An institution of higher education shall have individuals with training and experience in mental health issues who focus on reducing student suicides and attempted suicides available on campus or remotely by telephone or other means for students 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The individuals shall also work with, and annually train, faculty and staff on ways to recognize the signs of depression and the warning signs and risk factors associated with student suicide, and on the referral of students to crisis hotlines and mental health screenings.

      b.   No later than 15 days following the beginning of each semester, an institution of higher education shall transmit to each student via electronic mail the contact information of the individuals required pursuant to subsection a. of this section.

c.   A four-year institution of higher education shall require all students who serve as resident assistants to receive annual training on the signs of depression, the warning signs and risk factors associated with college student suicide, the referral of students to campus mental health resources, and responding to students in crisis. The training shall be developed by a licensed mental health professional with experience in treating depression in college students.

d.   An institution of higher education shall annually conduct a mental health public awareness campaign on campus designed to:

(1)  provide students with information on depression and suicide;

(2)  raise awareness about the mental health services available on and off campus; and

(3)  reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health services.

e.   The ¹[governing board] president¹ of an institution of higher education ¹, or a designee,¹ shall establish a mental health crisis assessment and response plan. The purpose of the plan shall be to act as the official protocol to be used by campus staff, faculty, and resident assistants in the case of four-year institutions, to identify, assess, and respond to a student who is experiencing a mental health crisis. The plan shall include an assessment, every five years, of elements of the campus environment that might be used in a suicide attempt including, but not limited to: access to building rooftops, balconies, windows, and bridges; access to toxic substances including

chemicals in campus laboratories; and access to drugs, alcohol, controlled dangerous substances, and firearms.

(cf: P.L.2016, c.18, s.2)

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.