New Jersey § 52:14-17

§ 52:14-17.

The coverage provided solely for employees shall, subject to the provisions below,

automatically become effective for all eligible employees from the first day on or

after the effective date of the program on which they satisfy the definition of “employee”

contained in this act. The commission shall establish the rules and regulations governing the enrollment

and effective dates of coverage of dependents of employees it deems necessary or desirable. The rules and regulations shall not defer coverage with respect to any qualified

dependent an employee has on the date the employee's employer becomes a participating

employer, provided the employee was, immediately prior to the date, insured with respect

to the dependent under a group insurance plan of the employer which was in effect

immediately prior to the date. Under the rules and regulations established by the commission, each employee shall

be given the opportunity to enroll for coverage for dependents as of the earliest

date the employee becomes eligible for enrollment. With respect to the traditional plan, an employee may elect to enroll dependents

for both basic coverage and major medical expense coverage but may not enroll for

either coverage alone. In the event that the group health plan which covered an employee or dependents immediately

prior to the date the employee's employer becomes a participating employer provides,

after termination of coverage thereunder, any continuation of benefits, or would so

provide in the absence of coverage pursuant to this act, no coverage shall be afforded

pursuant to this act for any such expenses (i) which are covered, or which would be

covered in the absence of coverage pursuant to this act, in whole or in part, by the

prior insurance plan or (ii) which may be used in satisfaction of any deductible requirement

under the prior insurance plan to establish entitlement to the continuation of benefits. Each employee shall furnish the Division of Pensions and Benefits, in the prescribed

form, the information necessary on account of the employee's own coverage and necessary

to enroll dependents. Any employee not desiring coverage at the time the employee first becomes eligible,

shall give the division written notice of that fact in the form prescribed by the

division. The employee may not enroll thereafter except at the times and under the conditions

prescribed by the commission. Any person employed as a substitute teacher by a school district and who provides

evidence of coverage under another health benefits program may waive coverage for

the current school year on or after the date on which the person becomes an employee

eligible for coverage. Multiple coverage in the program as an employee, dependent, or retiree shall be prohibited

and the prohibition shall be implemented in accordance with the rules and regulations

promulgated by the commission. The provisions of this paragraph shall be applicable to the State Health Benefits

Program and to the School Employees' Health Benefits Program to the extent not inconsistent

with the provisions of sections 31 through 41 of P.L.2007, c. 103 ( C.52:14-17.46.1 et seq. ).