Bill > S3223

Introduced Session

This bill permits greater diversity in the creation of new health sharing ministries and establishes and exempts certain mandates and reporting requirements. Under the bill, a participant in a health care sharing ministry established after December 31, 1999 will not be considered an applicable individual subject to the State's minimum essential coverage requirement, which requires that every applicable individual maintain health insurance coverage. Currently, a participant in a health care sharing ministry established after December 31, 1999 is considered an applicable individual subject to the State's minimum essential coverage requirements and must maintain health insurance coverage or pay a State-imposed tax. Additionally, the bill establishes certain reporting requirements for health care sharing ministries and organizations that offer or intend to offer a plan or arrangement to facilitate payment or reimbursement of health care costs or services for residents of this State. The reporting requirements include the total number of individuals and households that participated in the plan or arrangement in the immediately preceding calendar year and the total amount of fees, dues, or other payments collected by the ministry or organization in the immediately preceding calendar year, among other requirements. Ministries or organizations that fail to comply with the reporting requirements under the bill may be subject to certain monetary penalties or other administrative or legal actions. As used in this bill, "health care sharing ministry" means a not-for-profit organization pursuant to 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3) that is exempt from federal income taxes under 26 U.S.C. s.501(a), whose members: (1) share a common set of ethical or religious beliefs and share medical expenses among members in accordance with those beliefs, without regard to the state in which a member resides or is employed; and (2) retain membership even after they develop a medical condition. The term "health care sharing ministry" excludes ministries that do not conduct an annual audit that: (1) is performed by an independent certified public accounting firm; (2) follows generally accepted accounting principles; and (3) is made available to the public upon request.

Committee Categories

Angela Mcknight (D)*,  Bob Singer (R)*,  Paul Moriarty (D),  Benjie Wimberly (D), 

Senate Commerce Hearing (13:00:00 6/10/2024 Committee Room 6, First Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ) (on 06/10/2024)

Official Document