SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2890

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 14, 2024

      The Senate Labor Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2890.

     This bill mandates access to periodic cancer screening examinations for firefighters who waive employer-sponsored health care coverage, but are eligible for coverage under the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) by virtue of employment with a public employer that participates in the SHBP.  Current law entitles a firefighter enrolled in the SHBP, or a firefighter employed by a public employer that does not participate in the SHBP, to a cancer screening examination every three years and specifies that the State will reimburse providers or such public employers an amount not to exceed $1,250 per three-year period.  The bills extends these reimbursement provisions to firefighters who waive employer-sponsored health care coverage but are eligible for coverage under the SHBP by virtue of employment with a public employer that participates in the SHBP.