This bill aims to reform health care services for incarcerated individuals in New Jersey by eliminating co-payments for medical care and medications provided during their incarceration. Specifically, it prohibits the State or county from charging inmates for any medical care, surgery, dental care, hospitalization, or treatment, as well as for prescription or nonprescription drugs. Additionally, the bill prevents the State or county from seeking reimbursement from inmates for these costs, thereby ensuring that no individual is denied necessary medical services due to an inability to pay. It also allows counties to recover certain costs from the Department of Corrections or Department of Community Affairs for co-payment fees that cannot be collected from inmates.

Furthermore, the bill repeals existing provisions that allow the State or county to impose liens or certificates of debt for unpaid co-payment amounts, declaring any such debts unenforceable and void. This includes nullifying any outstanding liens related to health care services provided to inmates. The immediate effect of this legislation is to relieve inmates of any financial obligations related to health care services, while the broader provisions will take effect thirteen months after enactment to allow for necessary administrative preparations.

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