§ 34:11A-16 — Findings, declarations relative to notification with regard to health benefits plans.

1. The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Many employers in this State offer health benefits coverage to their employees under a health benefits plan as an incentive to attract and retain qualified employees. b. Health benefits coverage is very important to employees and their families and the availability of such coverage through an employer can be the determining factor as to whether an individual accepts employment with a particular employer. c. According to data tabulated by the Urban Institute based on the 1999 National Survey of America's Families, approximately 5.5 million New Jersey residents, which includes employees and their dependents, were covered by an employer-sponsored health benefits plan in 1999. d. In certain instances, an employer may make a business decision not to continue an employee health benefits plan, due to rising health care costs and other economic factors, and may not always notify the employees beforehand of its decision. e. It is a disservice to the working people of this State not to require that an employer provide prior notification to its employees when the employee health benefits plan will be terminated, for whatever reason. L.2003,c.27,s.1.