NJ S1388

Bill

Permits inclusion of volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders within municipal eligible employee group for purposes of the small employer health benefits plan statutes.

Introduced
01/09/2024

In Committee
09/30/2024

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill resolves an apparent conflict between provisions in chapter 10 of Title 40A of the New Jersey Statutes, which permit municipalities to offer group health insurance benefits to volunteer fire fighters and emergency responders, and provisions in chapter 27A of Title 17B of the New Jersey Statutes regarding small employer health benefits plans. For example, although N.J.S.40A:10-30 authorizes a municipality to provide group health plans to volunteer firefighters, those volunteers are not considered eligible employees under the small employer health benefits plan statutes. This bill clarifies that these volunteers, as well as emergency responders, may be included in the group of eligible employees in municipalities regarded as small employers, and thereby receive coverage under the same group plan.

AI Summary

This bill clarifies that volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders can be included in a municipality's group health insurance plan, even if the municipality is considered a "small employer" under state law. Previously, while municipalities were allowed to offer benefits to these volunteers, they weren't always recognized as "eligible employees" for the purposes of small employer health benefits plans, creating a conflict. This legislation amends the definition of "eligible employee" to specifically include these volunteers, ensuring they can receive coverage under the same group plan as other municipal employees. The bill also clarifies that for the purpose of determining an employer's size, these volunteer responders will not be counted as employees of the municipality.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

Sponsors (4)

Troy Singleton (D)*, Carmen Amato (R), Linda Greenstein (D), Declan O'Scanlon (R),

Last Action

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee (on 09/30/2024)

Official Document

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1388

(3 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1388
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1500/1388_I1.HTM
Fiscal Note - Fiscal Estimate 1/8/25; as introduced	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S1500/1388_E1.PDF
Analysis - Technical Review Of Prefiled Bill	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S1500/1388_T1.PDF
Analysis - Statement SCU 9/30/24	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S1500/1388_S1.PDF
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S1500/1388_I1.HTM

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
A3086	Permits inclusion of volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders within municipal eligible employee group for purposes of the small employer health benefits plan statutes.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee	Same As
A4357	Permits inclusion of volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders within municipal eligible employee group for purposes of the small employer health benefits plan statutes.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee	Carry Over
S331	Permits inclusion of volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders within municipal eligible employee group for purposes of the small employer health benefits plan statutes.	Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee	Carry Over

Bill > S1388

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary