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Bill > S1776


NJ S1776

NJ S1776
Requires State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee include certain first responder titles in first responders primary care medical home program.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under current law, the State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee of the State Health Benefits Program is responsible for and has authority over the various State employee health benefits plans and components of those plans, including for medical benefits, prescription benefits, dental, vision, and any other health care benefits, that are offered and administered by the State Health Benefits Program. The committee has the authority to create, modify, or terminate any plan or component, at its sole discretion. This bill requires the State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee to include certain first responder titles in any first responders primary care medical home program it adopts and implements. Under the bill, whenever the State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee establishes a primary care medical home pilot program or permanent program for first responders to provide comprehensive primary care services, including pharmacy, preventive care, episodic sick care, basic urgent care, disease management, medication management, behavioral health, pain management services, health and wellness coaching, immunizations, and lab draws and collections, and including the capability to coordinate care of comprehensive specialist, hospital, and outpatient services, the program would be required to include first responders as defined in the bill. Under the bill, "first responders" means, but may not be limited to, employees of police and fire departments, emergency medical service personnel, dispatchers, park rangers, State and local correctional facility personnel, child protection and permanency investigators, medical examiners, Office of the Attorney General investigators and county prosecutor's office investigators, and certain designated support staff, and similar personnel in first responder titles represented by the Communication Workers of America and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, as well as their dependents, who are covered by the State Health Benefits Program.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that the State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee, which oversees various health benefits for state employees, must include specific first responder titles in any primary care medical home program it creates for them. A primary care medical home program is designed to offer comprehensive health services, including routine check-ups, managing chronic conditions, behavioral health support, and coordinating specialist care. The bill defines "first responders" broadly to encompass a wide range of public safety and investigative roles, such as police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, dispatchers, park rangers, correctional facility staff, child protection investigators, medical examiners, and investigators from the Attorney General's and county prosecutor's offices, as well as certain union-represented support staff and their dependents, who are covered by the State Health Benefits Program.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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