ASSEMBLY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1142

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 12, 2026

      The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 1142.

As amended, the bill requires health, hospital, and medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and commercial group health insurers to provide coverage for an annual prostate cancer screening without cost sharing in accordance with the latest nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines.  The bill also extends the prostate cancer screening requirements to commercial individual health insurers, health benefits plans issued pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs.  “Nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines” are defined as evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, developed by independent organizations or medical professional societies using a transparent methodology and reporting structure, which set standards of care informed by a systemic review of evidence and include recommendations to optimize patient care.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to change the effective date for policies and contracts under the Individual Health Coverage Program to January 1, 2027.