N.J.S.A. 38A:13-9 — Death benefit.

38A:13-9. Death benefit. 2. The death benefit provided for in section 1 of P.L.1968, c.278 (C.38A:13-8) shall not be payable where there is a lump sum death benefit payable as a result of the deceased militiaman's membership in a public employees' pension system or when the militiaman was detailed to the Department of Military Affairs in a permanent duty status and entitled to benefits out of federal funds. L.1968, c.278, s.2; amended 1988,c.138,s.19; 2025, c.139, s.86. 38A:13-10 Findings, declarations relative to a veteran peer support telephone helpline. 1. a. The Legislature finds and declares that the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, in conjunction with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, has established a veteran to veteran peer support program telephone helpline. The helpline receives and responds to calls from veterans, servicemembers, and their families. It provides them with access to a comprehensive mental health provider network of mental health professionals specializing in post traumatic stress disorder and other veterans issues. All services are free and confidential. b. Since its inception, the helpline has fielded over 6,000 calls from veterans and their families and based on prior statistics, a 10% increase in calls has been projected. c. The helpline is funded through an allocation from a State appropriation for post traumatic stress disorder. It is appropriate that the helpline have a separate annual appropriation. L.2011, c.116, s.120; amended 2012, c.45, s.120. 38A:13-11 Establishment of helpline. 2. a. The Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs shall establish, in coordination with University Behavioral HealthCare of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, a toll free veteran to veteran peer support helpline. b. The helpline shall be accessible 24 hours a day seven days per week and shall respond to calls from veterans, servicemembers and their families. The operators of the helpline shall seek to identify the veterans, servicemembers and their families who should be referred to further peer support and counseling services, and provide referrals. c. The operators of the helpline shall be trained by University Behavioral Healthcare of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and, to the greatest extent possible, shall be trained veterans or mental health professionals with military service expertise and (1) familiar with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and the emotional and psychological tensions, depressions, and anxieties unique to veterans, servicemembers, and their families or (2) trained to provide counseling services involving marriage and family life, substance use disorder, personal stress management and other emotional or psychological disorders or conditions which may be likely to adversely affect the personal and service related well-being of veterans, servicemembers, and their families. d. The Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey shall provide for the confidentiality of the names of the persons calling, the information discussed, and any referrals for further peer support or counseling; provided, however, the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey may establish guidelines providing for the tracking of any person who exhibits a severe emotional or psychological disorder or condition which the operator handling the call reasonably believes might result in harm to the veteran or servicemember or any other person. L.2011, c.116, s.2; amended 2012, c.45, s.121; 2023, c.177, s.118. 38A:13-12 List of credentialed health care providers. 3. University Behavioral Healthcare of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey shall maintain a list of credentialed military-oriented behavioral healthcare providers throughout the State of New Jersey. Case management services shall also be provided to ensure that veterans, service members, and their families receive ongoing counseling throughout all pre and post deployment events in New Jersey. The continuum of services shall utilize the National Yellow Ribbon guidelines while providing ongoing peer support customized for each branch of military service. L.2011, c.116, s.3; amended 2012, c.45, s.122. 38A:13-13 Quarterly consultations. 4. In establishing the helpline authorized under the provisions of section 2 of this act, P.L.2011, c.116 (C.38A:13-11) the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs and University Behavioral Healthcare of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey shall consult on a quarterly basis with the New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services within the Department of Human Services, the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs, the New Jersey Veterans Healthcare Network, at least two New Jersey Veteran Centers, and at least two State recognized veteran groups. L.2011, c.116, s.4; amended 2012, c.45, s.123.

This is the verbatim text of N.J.S.A. 38A:13-9, retrieved from the New Jersey Legislature's public statute corpus. Statutes are amended periodically — for the most current version, check the external source link above. Kyzer is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.