FY2026 Annual Report

10 75 th Anniversary I n FY2026, NJAMHAA also had many policy wins of great impact to support the life-saving work of our members. When NJAMHAA learned that the Department of Health (DOH), during its licensing inspections, was informing members that 51 per cent of outpatient services must be in-person, the issue was put on the agenda for NJAMHAA’s quarterly meeting with DOH licensing and shared with DMHAS. DOH has ceased imposing this requirement and DMHAS has indicated an official memo on this is forthcoming. Another regulatory success was recently realized for Integrated Case Management Services (ICMS) programs. Working with its ICMS Practice Group, NJAMHAA drafted regulations for these programs that were then shared with DMHAS. While the regulations are not yet adopted, several changes to requirements for the program that had been incorporated into them appeared in the most recent Annex A for ICMS contracts. The length of time for a program to be able to discharge a client when they have been lost to contact was reduced from 90 to 60 days and the experiential requirement for new hires has been changed to one year of relevant experience whereas previously new hires had to have one year experience post-graduation. Most recently, NJAMHAA’s advocacy along with the New Jersey Association for Treatment of Opioid Dependence for reinstating the waiver provisions that allowed Schedule II drugs to be prescribed without in- person visits was rewarded with a declaration by the Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) in May that any medications that are being prescribed for use in the treatment of substance use disorder are exempt from the in-person requirements. NJAMHAA was working to have legislation passed to allow this exemption prior to DCA’s announcement. On July 8, 2026, Gov. Sherrill signed this legislation (A4852) into law, codifying the exemption in statute. NJAMHAA also continues to work with the Legislature to address many other issues on behalf of its members. Having previously secured bill language to make the temporary certification process for Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC) and Temporary Graduate licensure (TGL) process permanent, NJAMHAA is currently working to refine those provisions to ensure that regular certification requirements are fulfilled while grandfathering in the experience of individuals who secured temporary certifications since 2020. Similarly, NJAMHAA’s work with the Legislature regarding the permissions granted to Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in a new statute is ongoing. NJAMHAA has long supported the discontinuance of the joint protocol requirements for APNs and saw that successfully done in a recently signed law. However, the protections for the involuntary commitment process – draft amendments that made it clear only a psychiatric APN employed or affiliated with a screening center and who has received DMHAS training on involuntary commitment can sign a screening certificate, and that no APNs can sign a clinical certificate – were not included. NJAMHAA has begun the process to see that these amendments are made. Legislative advocacy is not, however, only about getting desired changes, but also about preventing bills that would harm access to care from moving forward. This year, NJAMHAA contributed to seeing that a bill that would establish oversight and qualifications of peer recovery specialists within the Division of Consumer Affairs will not advance. NJAMHAA’s Legacy of Impactful Legislative, Policy and Regulatory Advocacy Continues