CHAPTER 271

An Act concerning individual health care coverage and supplementing P.L.1992, c.161 (C.17B:27A-2 et seq.).

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 6 of P.L.1992, c.161 (C.17B:27A-7) to the contrary, a carrier shall waive any preexisting condition limitation in the case of an eligible person who applies to purchase a health benefits plan on or before May 1, 1997, and who, as of February 1, 1997, was an employee of a nonprofit corporation that filed for bankruptcy during the month of February 1997 and that failed to pay required premiums on the employee's health benefits plan so that the employee's health benefits coverage lapsed more than 30 days before the employee was able to purchase an individual health benefits plan pursuant to P.L.1992, c.161 (C.17B:27A-2 et seq.).

    b.    The waiver of a preexisting condition limitation pursuant to this section shall apply retroactively to an individual health benefits plan purchased between February 1, 1997 and May 1, 1997.

    2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

    Approved December 22, 1997.