ASSEMBLY MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3176

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 4, 2024

      The Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 3176.

This bill directs the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs to establish a program to provide grants to certain veterans organizations to provide mental health services to veterans.  The veterans organizations will contract with mental health care professionals to provide the services.  The bill appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Fund for the program.

     The bill defines "veterans organization" to mean a veterans organization that qualifies as a section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax-exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code, or a federally chartered Veterans’ Service Organization.  It also includes the New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group and the New Jersey Catholic Charities Diocese.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.