You may have heard of Code Blue program that opens up shelters when temperatures drop below freezing.

But now legislators are weighing a bill to create a code red program.

It would provide cooling centers for residents experiencing homelessness throughout the state during periods of extreme heat.

Ted Goldberg explains that while both legislators and shelter operators want this to happen, there's one major hurdle standing in the way.

Finding a place to beat the heat can be a little more challenging for people experiencing homelessness.

Kind of hits close to me because I have a heart condition.

So staying out of the heat is very important for me.

You know, I need to drink a lot of water.

I need to find shade.

Trying to find places to sit down, energy that are clean, that are free of refuge, that don't have a bad element around them.

And then having cold water on hand, comfort staying clean.

And so you don't have an odor, you know, and it kind of gets kind of challenging, you know.

Advocates say a code red bill could be a huge help.

A new bill would open cooling centers for the homeless when temperatures are predicted to hit 100 or mid-nineties in consecutive days or if air quality is expected to be unhealthy.

And that population is already burdened with health issues.

So many of the homeless have pretty significant health issues.

It's absolutely necessary.

They are unable to remove themselves from the heat, unable usually to get into an air conditioned or shaded area.

So they're going to be exposed to the heat for longer periods of time without the ability to seek shelter.

New Jersey has had code blue shelters for extremely cold days since 2017.

Reginald Wallace says a shelter saved his life last winter and he would really like to see a similar measure for extreme heat.

I was literally sleeping in this under the steps of the library around the corner on Academy Avenue, and it's raining, it's freezing cold, and it's like it's really bad.

And I got really sick.

I would always have a place to go, you know, I always feel kind of safe that, you know, if if I was having, you know, a problem with my heart because of the heat, you know, I'd be able to come here and cool off, have water.

And I think those things are essential.

As part of this bill.

Groups like the Rescue Mission of Trenton wouldn't be reimbursed for their Code red shelters for three years.

But CEO Barry Young says they'll find a way to make it work.

The fact that there is a potential to get reimbursed first is is a plus.

We then say, okay, well, then what is the prospect of how do we have to to your point is keep those receipts so that we can then submit for reimbursement.

And I'm sure that they will have a system where where you'll go in and do that.

According to the Office of Legislative Services, these cooling centers could cost $6 million over three years.

Where that money exactly comes from has become a sticking point.

The shelters want to do this desperately, but it takes personnel to open up their doors.

There needs to be adequate funding in the bill to ensure that the reality can match the nice words.

The bill does not include or an investment does not include the necessary funding to provide for transportation services, to provide for any of the costs associated with warming centers and some of the other ancillary ancillary types of services.

We believe that the state has to make some type of investment.

This debate continues tomorrow in the capital, where the bill will be discussed when the Senate Health Committee meets in the morning in Trenton.

I'm Ted Goldberg.

NJ Spotlight News.

Support for the medical report is provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.