SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2089

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 13, 2021

      The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 2089.

      As amended, this bill prohibits any insurer from charging a fee to furnish tangible printed or paper bills or notices, with respect to any insurance policy, to an insured or other owner of that policy.  Insurance policies referred to under the bill include automobile insurance policies, homeowners policies, and individual life and health insurance policies.  In addition, the bill prohibits the State Health Benefits Commission and School Employees’ Health Benefits Commission from charging a fee to furnish tangible printed or paper bills or notices to any member of the State Health Benefits Program or the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program.

      This bill ensures that an insured, or other owner of the policy, will not be charged an additional fee if the insured or other owner of the policy elects to receive tangible printed or paper bills or notices in place of digital access to the same. The bill does not prohibit an insurer from offering a discount, credit, or other incentive to an insured for selecting a specific billing, payment, or notification option.

      As amended and reported, this bill is identical to Assembly Bill No. 3605 (1R) as also reported by the committee.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to clarify that nothing in the bill prohibits an insurer from offering a discount, credit, or other incentive to an insured for selecting a specific billing, payment, or notification option.