A6026

An Act establishing the “South Jersey Community Resilience Center” and making an appropriation.

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

1. The Legislature finds and declares:

a. According to a 2023 Public Religion Research Institute study, 9 percent of New Jersey’s population identifies publicly as LGBTQIA+.

b. The eight South Jersey counties represent about 30 percent of New Jersey’s population and are home to approximately 200,000 LGBTQIA+ residents.

c. South Jersey currently lacks dedicated LGBTQIA+ community spaces, leaving a significant portion of the region’s estimated 200,000 LGBTQIA+ residents without accessible resources and support systems.

d. Establishing a South Jersey LGBTQIA+ Community Center will create a vital resource hub, offering a safe, supportive, and culturally sensitive space with services and programs tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals across the region.

2. There is established by the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Health, a “South Jersey Community Resilience Center” located in Atlantic City.

a. The Department of Human Services shall administer the program, in consultation with the Department of Health, and in partnership with nonprofit organizations, hospitals, community health centers, and mental health organizations to:

(1) Provide access to LGBTQIA+ specific resources and services;

(2) Offer peer discussion groups, mental health workshops, and community-building activities;

(3) Host educational seminars and house materials on LGBTQIA+ healthcare matters;

(4) Reduce barriers to accessing essential services, including healthcare, personal care, community support, and advocacy;

(5) Serve as an event, meeting, and collaboration space for LGBTQIA+ organizations and individuals; and

(6) Create a sense of safety and belonging for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

3. There is appropriated from the General Fund the sum of $500,000 to the Department of Human Services to implement the provisions of this act.

4. The Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Health, shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

5. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill establishes the “South Jersey Community Resilience Center” administered by the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Health, and appropriates $500,000.

Designates $500,000 from the General Fund to establish a South Jersey Community Resilience Center in Atlantic City. The purpose of the center is to provide a safe, supportive, and welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ individuals in South Jersey. Currently, no LGBTQIA+ resource center exists in South Jersey. The proposed center in Atlantic City aims to address this gap by providing a centralized hub for LGBTQIA+ individuals and organizations. The center is to:

(1) Provide access to LGBTQIA+-specific resources and services;

(2) Offer peer discussion groups, mental health workshops, and community-building activities;

(3) Host educational seminars and house materials on LGBTQIA+ healthcare matters;

(4) Reduce barriers to accessing essential services, including healthcare, personal care, community support, and advocacy;

(5) Serve as an event, meeting, and collaboration space for LGBTQIA+ organizations and individuals; and

(6) Create a sense of safety and belonging for LGBTQIA+ individuals.