Bill Text: NJ A1331 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Provides for SHBP New Jersey State Employee Wellness Program with financial incentives for participation in program.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-10-02 - Reviewed by the Pension and Health Benefits Commission Recommend not to enact [A1331 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-A1331-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
216th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2014 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Provides for SHBP New Jersey State Employee Wellness Program with financial incentives for participation in program.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act providing for a State employee wellness incentive program and supplementing P.L.1961, c.49 (C.52:14-17.25 et seq.)
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The State Health Benefits Program shall provide for a New Jersey State Employee Wellness Program. State employees enrolled for healthcare coverage under the State Health Benefits Program may participate in the wellness program. The wellness program shall consist of a health assessment program, including biannual health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and body mass index (BMI). An active State employee participating in the biannual health screening, as prescribed by the State Health Benefits Program, shall be provided with a $50.00 annual deduction from the employee's contribution to health care benefits. An employee with a BMI of 24 or lower shall receive an additional biannual deduction of $50.00; an employee with a BMI between 25 and 29 shall receive an additional biannual deduction of $50.00 for each two-point reduction in BMI; and an employee with a BMI of higher than 24 shall be eligible for an additional one-time deduction of $50.00 for each five-point reduction in BMI.
The wellness program shall also include a tobacco cessation program, as prescribed by the State Health Benefits Program. An active State employee participating in the smoking cessation program shall be provided with an additional $100.00 biannual deduction from the employee's contribution to health care benefits for becoming and remaining certifiably tobacco-free.
As part of the wellness program, the division may refund to the employee the cost of a gymnasium or health club membership up to 10 percent of the fee or $50.00, whichever is less.
The commission shall adopt regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), necessary in order to fulfill the requirements of this section.
2. This act shall take effect 60 days next following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) to provide for a New Jersey State Employee Wellness Program consisting of a health assessment program, including biannual health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and body mass index (BMI). The bill also provides that the wellness program will include a tobacco cessation program as prescribed by SHBP. Participation in the wellness programs will be optional.
The State employees who participate in the biannual health screenings will be eligible for a $50.00 annual deduction from their contribution to health care benefits. An additional biannual deduction of $50.00 would be available to an employee with a BMI of 24 or lower, or of $50.00 to an employee with a BMI between 25 and 29 for each two-point reduction in BMI. An employee with a BMI of higher than 24 would be eligible for an additional one-time deduction of $50.00 for each five-point reduction in BMI. A State employee participating in the smoking cessation program would be eligible for an additional $100.00 biannual deduction for becoming and remaining certifiably tobacco-free.
In addition, the cost of a gymnasium or health club membership up to 10 percent of the fee or $50.00, whichever is less, may be refunded to the employee.
This program may provide for early detection and intervention to address health risks, and may encourage the development of healthy lifestyles promoting wellness and preventing disease. Current law provides an incentive program for certain State retirees for participation in the New Jersey Retirees' Wellness Program, but presently does not provide an incentive program for active State employees.
