This bill addresses health care services for incarcerated individuals in New Jersey by eliminating co-payments for medical care, surgery, dental care, hospitalization, and medications provided during their incarceration. It amends existing law to state that inmates shall not be liable for any costs associated with these services, nor can they be charged for prescription or nonprescription drugs. Additionally, the bill prohibits the State or counties from seeking reimbursement from inmates for the costs incurred in providing medical care. It also allows counties to recover unrecoverable co-payment fees from the Department of Corrections or the Department of Community Affairs.

Furthermore, the bill repeals provisions that allowed the State or counties to impose liens or certificates of debt for unpaid co-payment amounts, declaring any such debts unenforceable and nullifying any existing liens. The immediate effect of this legislation is to ensure that no inmate is denied necessary medical services due to an inability to pay, thereby reinforcing the principle that health care should be accessible to all individuals in custody. The bill's provisions will take effect in stages, with the debt-related measures becoming effective immediately, while the remaining provisions will be implemented thirteen months after enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 30:7E-2, 30:7E-3, 30:7E-4, 30:7E-5