This bill requires health insurers, including the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP), and NJ FamilyCare, to provide coverage for sign language interpreter services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing during healthcare encounters. It mandates that contracts for various health insurance plans include coverage for expenses related to qualified sign language interpreters or video remote interpreting services when in-person interpreters are unavailable. The bill also establishes a minimum reimbursement rate of $42.40 per hour for NJ FamilyCare and $42.53 per hour for SHBP and SEHBP enrollees.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific conditions under which family members or friends may serve as interpreters, emphasizing that such services are not covered unless the individual is a qualified interpreter and has received consent. It prohibits family members from acting as interpreters in cases of suspected domestic violence or child abuse. The legislation defines key terms such as "deaf," "hard of hearing," "qualified sign language interpreter," and "video remote interpreting services," ensuring clarity in its implementation. Overall, the bill aims to enhance accessibility to healthcare services for individuals with hearing impairments while aligning with existing federal requirements.