Bill > A2666

Introduced Session

This bill makes it an unlawful employment practice under the State's "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.), for an employer to provide a health benefits plan to its employees in this State that excludes coverage for expenses incurred in the purchase of prescription female contraceptives. The bill will not apply to any religious employer if the coverage prescription female contraceptives conflicts with the religious employer's bona fide religious beliefs and practices. Also, the bill will not apply to any health benefits plan that maintains grandfathered status pursuant to the federal "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," Pub.L.111-148, for as long as the health benefits plan meets all grandfathering requirements as provided under that law. The bill defines "health benefits plan" as any benefits plan that pays or provides hospital and medical expense benefits for covered services, and is delivered or issued for delivery in this State by or through a carrier that is authorized to issue health benefits plans in this State or a self-funded plan. The bill defines "religious employer" as an employer that is a church, convention or association of churches or an elementary or secondary school that is controlled, operated or principally supported by a church or by a convention or association of churches as defined in 26 U.S.C. s.3121(w)(3)(A), and that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3).

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Pam Lampitt (D)*, 

Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading (on 12/12/2016)