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Bill

S 2346

Requires continuation of health benefits dependent coverage for certain children with disabilities who are 26 years of age or older.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Renee Burgess and 5 co-sponsors

Extends dependent health coverage past age 26 for adults with disabilities who cannot work and rely on a parent for support across major NJ plans and providers.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee
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Bill Summary · S 2346

Overview

S 2346 (NJ 222nd Legislature) would require health insurers and health plans to continue dependent coverage for adult children 26 years and older who are incapable of self-sustaining employment due to intellectual or physical disabilities and who remain chiefly dependent on the subscriber for support. The bill applies to a broad set of coverages, including hospital/medical expense benefits offered by hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, group health plans, and health maintenance organizations. It builds on existing dependent coverage rules by extending protections to eligible adult children with disabilities.

Main purpose and intent

  • Ensure uninterrupted health coverage for adult children (26+) with disabilities who are unable to work and rely on a parent for support.
  • Remove grounds for denial of dependent coverage for this population (even if they are beyond the age 26 threshold) when the child has a qualifying disability and dependency.
  • Align multiple types of health coverage (individual, group, HMO, and other plans) under a uniform standard for continuity of coverage.

Key provisions and changes

  • Expanded eligibility for continued dependent coverage:
    • An adult child 26 or older may remain covered if:
    • The child is incapable of self-sustaining employment due to an intellectual disability or physical handicap, and
    • The child is chiefly dependent on the subscriber for support and maintenance.
  • Non-discrimination preserved for other typical dependent-status grounds:
    • The bill retains prohibitions on denying coverage for reasons such as being born out of wedlock, not being claimed as a dependent on federal tax returns, not residing with the subscriber, marriage, having or adopting a child, or starting/leaving school (with the disability exception applying to the 26+ age group).
  • Coverage continuity across policy types:
    • Applies to hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, health service plans under the State’s Medicaid-related provisions, health insurance policies, group health plans, and health maintenance organizations.
  • Procedural elements retained:
    • Provisions governing noncustodial-parent coverage, court/administrative orders requiring coverage, and open enrollment considerations are maintained, with the additional disability-based exception allowing continued coverage beyond age 26.
  • Effective date:
    • The act would take effect on the 90th day after enactment.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals: Adult children (26+) with disabilities meeting the two-part test (inability to work due to disability and dependency on the parent) who rely on a parent for support.
  • Coverage providers: Health insurers, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, group health plans, and health maintenance organizations operating in New Jersey.
  • Subscribers and parents: Parents who are policyholders or subscribers would retain dependent coverage for eligible adult children, subject to the new disability-based continuation rule.

Timelines and procedural notes

  • Enactment takes effect 90 days after signing into law.
  • Applies prospectively to plans and contracts governed by New Jersey law, with reference to existing dependent-coverage provisions in multiple statutory sections (P.L.1995, c.288 and related amendments).

Practical impact

  • Improves long-term access to healthcare for adults with disabilities who cannot work and rely on parental support.
  • Provides greater predictability for families navigating health coverage, reducing risk of loss of benefits due to age-based eligibility milestones.

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

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