52:14-17.29e SHBC to provide benefits for mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

2. a. The State Health Benefits Commission shall ensure that every contract purchased by the commission on or after the effective date of this act that provides hospital or medical expense benefits shall provide coverage for mental health conditions and substance use disorders under the same terms and conditions as provided for any other sickness under the contract and shall meet the requirements of the federal Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, 42 U.S.C. s.18031(j), and any amendments to, and federal guidance or regulations issued under that act, including 45 C.F.R. Parts 146 and 147 and 45 C.F.R. s.156.115(a)(3).

b. The commission shall provide notice to employees regarding the coverage required by this section in accordance with this subsection and regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Health pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.). The notice shall be in writing and prominently positioned in any literature or correspondence and shall be transmitted at the earliest of: (1) the next mailing to the employee; (2) the yearly informational packet sent to the employee; or (3) July 1, 2000. The commission shall also ensure that the carrier under contract with the commission, upon receipt of information that a covered person is receiving treatment for a mental health condition or substance use disorder, shall promptly notify that person of the coverage required by this section.

c. Nothing in this section shall reduce the requirement for a carrier to provide benefits pursuant to section 9 of P.L.2017, c.28 (C.52:14-17.29u).

L.1999, c.441, s.2; amended 2019, c.58, s.10.