Bill Text: NJ S4370 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Makes supplemental appropriation of $1 million to DVA for suicide prevention training for personnel at State-run veterans' facilities.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 2)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-06-01 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee [S4370 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-S4370-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator OWEN HENRY
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Makes supplemental appropriation of $1 million to DVA for suicide prevention training for personnel at State-run veterans' facilities.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Supplement to the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, P.L.2025, c.74.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. In addition to the amounts appropriated under P.L.2025, c.74, the annual appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, there is appropriated from the General Fund the following amount for the purpose specified:
67 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
80 Special Government Services
83 Services to Veterans
3610 Veterans' Haven
Direct State Services
51-3610 Veterans' Haven ................................................... $1,000,000
Total Direct State Services appropriation,
Veterans' Haven ............................................... $1,000,000
Direct State Services:
Special Purpose:
51 Suicide Prevention Training ................ ($1,000,000)
The amount hereinabove appropriated shall be used by the Veterans' Havens to provide suicide prevention training to facility personnel.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill makes a supplemental appropriation of $1 million from the General Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs for suicide prevention training for personnel at State-run veterans' facilities.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the veteran suicide rate is rising. In 2023, suicide was the 12th leading cause of death for veterans, and was the second-leading cause of death for veterans under age 45. That same year, the suicide rate among homeless Recent Veteran Veterans Health Administration users was 146 percent higher than for those who had not experienced homelessness. Among veterans under the care of the Veterans Health Administration who passed away due to suicide, 61 percent had a Veterans Health Administration mental health or substance use disorder diagnosis.
This bill provides necessary funding for suicide prevention training for staff at the State's transitional veteran housing facilities. Residents at these facilities may have increased risk factors for suicide. This funding will help ensure that staff are capable of assisting residents and saving veterans' lives.
