This bill amends existing laws to extend health care benefits to disabled members of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) and the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) in New Jersey. It stipulates that members who are disabled and receiving benefits under the group disability insurance policy will be eligible for health care coverage under the School Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) at no cost, with no employee contributions required. The bill also removes any deadlines or eligibility requirements for enrollment, provided the individual is a recipient of disability insurance.

Additionally, the bill outlines the specifics of the group disability insurance coverage, including the calculation of benefits at 60% of the member's base monthly salary, with certain reductions for other benefits. It ensures that members receiving disability benefits are considered in active service for pension purposes and clarifies that the provision of health benefits will not affect the amount of disability benefits received. The legislation also includes provisions for direct payments from insurance companies to the Public Employees Retirement System and establishes an appeals process for disputes related to return-to-work issues or physical examinations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:66-39.1, 43:15A-42.1