NJ S2655

Dependents of public safety employees who died on duty or within 24 hours of going off duty may apply for reimbursement of the first six months of COBRA health coverage costs from the State Treasurer.

Eligible public safety employees include State, county, and municipal law enforcement officers, paid or volunteer firefighters, first aid and rescue squad members, and State or county correctional officers.

Applications must be submitted by March 1 each year for COBRA coverage periods that ended during the preceding calendar year.

$750,000 is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Treasury for implementation, with reimbursements distributed pro rata if total applications exceed available funding.

Dependents must have been covered under the State Health Benefits Program or the employee's employer-provided health coverage at the time of death to qualify.