This bill amends New Jersey law to ensure that health insurance contracts provide continued coverage for adult children with disabilities who are 26 years of age or older. Specifically, it mandates coverage for those who are unable to sustain employment due to an intellectual disability or physical handicap and are primarily dependent on the subscriber for support. This change allows families to maintain health insurance for their adult children with disabilities beyond the previous age limit, thereby enhancing their access to necessary health care.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that health insurance contracts must allow for the enrollment of these adult children without being subject to open enrollment restrictions, enabling parents to secure coverage at any time. It also clarifies that insurers cannot deny coverage based on factors such as marital status or residency, and it empowers custodial parents to manage health care claims without needing approval from noncustodial parents. The provisions of this bill will take effect 90 days after its enactment, reinforcing the commitment to support families with disabled adult children.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 17:48-6.15, 17:48A-7.10, 17:48E-32.1, 17B:27-30.1, 17B:27-30.3, 17B:27A-4.1, 17B:27A-18.1, 26:2J-10.1