Bill Proposes Extension of Health Benefits Continuation Under New Jersey “Mini COBRA”

Under a bill (S1387) introduced on February 11 in the state Senate, small employer health benefits plans covered by New Jersey’s “mini-COBRA” law would be required to increase benefits from 18 months to 36 months after certain qualifying events (e.g., termination without cause and reduction to less than 25 hours per week). The bill would provide uniformity as to the extent to which continuation coverage must be offered to all qualified beneficiaries, as spouses and dependent children of employees now are eligible to receive 36 months of continued benefits under the mini-COBRA law.