SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1032

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 12, 2026

      The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1032.

      This bill establishes additional network adequacy standards for health insurance carriers that offer a managed care plan.  Current law requires regulations for those carriers to include standards for the adequacy of the provider network with respect to the scope and type of health care benefits provided by the carrier, the geographic service area covered by the provider network, and access to medical specialists.  This bill requires the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to adopt regulations to ensure that covered persons have reasonable and timely access to physician specialists at in-network hospitals and facilities, including anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists, emergency medicine physicians, and services under their supervision.

      This bill was pre-filed 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.