30:6C-12 Establishment of law enforcement assisted addiction and recovery referral program.

2. The Director of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall provide for the establishment, upon the request of the department or force, of a law enforcement assisted addiction and recovery referral program in accordance with section 5 of P.L.2016, c.58 (C.30:6C-15). In providing for the establishment of these programs, the director shall:

a. prescribe by regulation requirements for a law enforcement department to establish, or otherwise authorize the operation within that department, of a law enforcement assisted addiction and recovery referral program;

b. develop and implement guidelines for the recruitment and training of law enforcement officers and personnel, volunteers, and treatment providers to participate in the program, provided that law enforcement officers may refer or transport program participants to a program volunteer or to a treatment provider for substance abuse recovery services, health care services, including mental health services, medication-assisted drug treatment services, and other substance abuse treatment services but shall not be involved in the provision of such services;

c. support and facilitate, to the maximum extent practicable, the linkage of law enforcement assisted addiction and recovery referral programs to facilities and programs that may provide appropriate substance abuse recovery services, health care services, including mental health services, medication-assisted drug treatment services, and other substance abuse treatment services to program participants;

d. coordinate with law enforcement officials, personnel, and program volunteers to ensure that individuals seeking to participate in the program are treated with respect, care, and compassion;

e. establish eligibility requirements for participation in the program which shall include, but not be limited to, the provisions of P.L.2016, c.58 (C.30:6C-11 et seq.);

f. develop and implement procedures for determining eligibility to participate in the program, including, but not limited to, conducting a wanted person check pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2003, c.282 (C.30:4-91.3c) on each potential program participant; and

g. provide procedures for maintaining the confidentiality of information pertaining to the identity, diagnosis, treatment and health information of any program participant.

L.2016, c.58, s.2.