Requires health benefits plan and carriers to meet certain requirements concerning network adequacy and mental health care.
This bill (S 3477) requires health insurance carriers in New Jersey - including Medicaid, private plans, and self-funded employer plans - to ensure mental health care access for all covered individuals. It mandates that carriers maintain sufficient mental health providers in their networks, guaranteeing 100% of enrollees can access in-person care within 15 miles and 30 days, or telehealth/telemedicine care within 30 days if in-person options are unavailable. Insurers must cover telehealth mental health services on the same terms as in-person visits, with no higher deductibles/copays and reimbursement rates at least matching Medicaid rates. The law applies to all health benefits plans (excluding accident-only, disability, or workers' compensation coverage) and establishes penalties for noncompliance.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 12, 2026
Last action Feb 12, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Feb 12, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jim Beach
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about S 3477
Scope: NJ
Hi! I can help you understand S 3477. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline