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S 4287

Enacts the "Unemployment Insurance Liability Act"

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Parker

Health benefits plans must cover organ donation for an insured who is declared dead without any cost-sharing, when donation is authorized by the deceased’s donor status or a legal

REFERRED TO LABOR
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Bill Summary · S 4287

S 4287 — Summary

Note: The bill’s stated title is “Unemployment Insurance Liability Act,” but the introduced text and provisions relate to organ donation coverage under health benefits plans. This summary reflects the introduced content as written.

Overview

  • Bill Number: S 4287
  • Title (as introduced): Enacts the "Unemployment Insurance Liability Act" (text addresses organ donation coverage)
  • Purpose (as introduced): Require health benefits carriers to provide coverage for organ donation without cost-sharing when the insured is declared dead under New Jersey’s Declaration of Death Act.
  • Status: Referred to LABOR (with an accompanying note of action history showing additional referral to Senate Commerce)
  • Primary Sponsor: Kevin S. Parker
  • Introduced: March 24, 2025

Key Provisions

  • Coverage Obligation
    • A health benefits plan carrier in New Jersey must cover, without any cost-sharing, the donation of an organ by an insured individual who is declared dead under the Declaration of Death Act (P.L.1991, c.90; C.26:6A-1 et seq.).
  • Conditions for Coverage
    • The insured individual who is declared dead must be registered as an organ donor through the State’s organ donor registry, or
    • A representative of the insured (including, but not limited to, the named insured if different from the deceased; spouse; adult child (18+); sibling; or legal guardian) may decide to donate the deceased insured’s organ.
  • Scope of Donor Representation
    • The provision explicitly includes representatives who can authorize donation, ensuring that either the deceased’s donor status is recorded or a legally authorized representative can direct the donation.

Affected Parties

  • Primary Stakeholders
    • Individuals covered by health benefits plans in New Jersey (insured/deceased donors).
    • Health benefits carriers/insurance issuers offering plans in the state.
    • State organ donor registry and potential representatives (spouses, adult children, siblings, guardians) involved in donation decisions.
  • Indirect Impacts
    • Hospitals and organ procurement organizations may see changes in the financial treatment of organ donation procedures for insured donors, since costs would be covered without cost-sharing.

Effective Date and Timeline

  • Effective Date: The act takes effect on the first day of the fourth month following enactment.
  • Application: Applies to health benefits plans delivered, issued, executed, or renewed on or after the effective date.
  • Legislative Timeline:
    • Introduced in Senate: March 24, 2025
    • Referred to Labor and also noted as referred to Senate Commerce (date entries show February 3, 2025 and March 24, 2025 inconsistently; the latest action listed is referral to Labor and Commerce)

Background and Context

  • Legal Framework: Supplements P.L.1997, c.192 (C.26:2S-1 et seq.) concerning organ donation in New Jersey.
  • Relationship to Existing Law: Aligns with state organ donation policies by ensuring financial barrier removal for donation decisions made by eligible representatives or the designated donor.

Notes and Considerations

  • Title vs. Content: The bill’s title suggests unemployment insurance liability, but the introduced text focuses on organ donation coverage. Readers should watch for final bill labeling and any amendments clarifying scope.
  • Fiscal Implications: No dollar amounts or funding mechanisms are specified in the introduced text; cost coverage would be borne by health benefits carriers, potentially affecting premiums or plan design.
  • Implementation: Carriers would need procedures to verify donor status (registry) or document authorized donation by a representative at the time of the insured’s death.

Related Bills

  • S 2756, S 2706, S 6045, S 2188, S 5016, S 5425, S 6833 (prior-session counterparts)

This summary captures the bill’s introduced text and stated aims. For a complete understanding, monitor subsequent amendments, committee reports, and final enacted language.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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