SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4932

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 15, 2025

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4932.

      As reported, this bill provides for two Fiscal Year 2026 supplemental appropriations from the General Fund to the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers: one for $1 million to the Department of Health for the Pledge to Connect Program; and one for $500,000 to the Department of Community Affairs for the Housing First Program.  The Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers is one of New Jersey’s four Regional Health Hubs.

      The Pledge to Connect Program connects patients with behavioral health needs in hospital emergency departments to timely, community-based outpatient care.  Launched in Fiscal Year 2022, the program uses in-person and telephonic models to triage patients based on the severity of their needs and to connect them to appropriate services, with the goal of reducing future emergency room visits. 

      The Housing First Program provides permanent housing and wraparound services to individuals facing chronic homelessness.  The program was introduced in 2015 in response to the high rates of homelessness and lack of low-barrier housing programs for individuals with complex health and social needs in the city of Camden.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill has not been certified as requiring a fiscal note.