SENATE BILL NO. 890

(First Reprint)

To the Senate:

Pursuant to Article V, Section I, Paragraph 14 of the New Jersey Constitution, I herewith return Senate Bill No. 890 (First Reprint) with my recommendations for reconsideration.

Senate Bill No. 890 (First Reprint) requires the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services to take appropriate steps to secure federal sources of funding to support maternal mental health in the State, including, but not limited to, the grant available pursuant to section 10005 of the federal “21st Century Cures Act,” Pub. L. 114-255, 42 U.S.C. s.247b-13a.  The departments are to report their efforts to the Legislature by September 1, 2021.

I commend the sponsors’ dedication to ensuring that the State receives the highest level of federal funding available for maternal mental health.  A report issued last year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that approximately one in eight women in the United States experience symptoms of postpartum depression.  We know that perinatal depression is common and treatable, and my Administration, through the efforts led by First Lady Tammy Murphy, remains committed to improving health outcomes for New Jersey mothers across the board. 

In February 2020, I recommended, as part of my proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021, the establishment of a Grants Management Office (“Office”) to identify federal funding opportunities for the State and local governments.  Although the creation of that Office was delayed as a result of the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, in the conditional veto of Assembly Bill No. 2116 that I will deliver to the Assembly tomorrow, I will be recommending the establishment of the Office through statute.  My suggested revisions to Senate Bill No. 890 (First Reprint) will integrate its requirements into the responsibilities of the new Office.

By streamlining our efforts to secure federal funding and providing accountability for those efforts, we can maximize our receipt of federal funding and enable greater investment in State programs, including maternal mental health services, that provide vital support for so many of our residents.

Therefore, I herewith return Senate Bill No. 890 (First Reprint) and recommend that it be amended as follows:

Page 2, Section 1, Line 13:        Delete “Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of” and insert “Grants Management Office established in the office of the Treasury or in such other State agency or office as may be designated by the Governor”

Page 2, Section 1, Line 14:        Delete “P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1),”  

Page 2, Section 1, Line 16:        After “section.” insert “The information submitted pursuant to this section shall be included within the report issued by the Grants Management Office to the Legislature prior to the expiration date of this act, P.L.    , c.    (C.       ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).”

Page 2, Section 2, Line 22:        Delete “Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of” and insert “Grants Management Office established in the office of the Treasury or in such other State agency or office as may be designated by the Governor”

Page 2, Section 2, Line 23:        Delete “P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1),”

Page 2, Section 2, Line 25:        After “section.” insert “The information submitted pursuant to this section shall be included within the report issued by the Grants Management Office to the Legislature prior to the expiration date of this act, P.L.    , c.    (C.       ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).”

                                  Respectfully,

[seal]

                                  /s/ Philip D. Murphy

                                  Governor

Attest:

/s/ Parimal Garg

Chief Counsel to the Governor