21. a. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or other part of the act shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, including any judgment made pursuant to R.S.1:1-10 that the part is unconstitutional, invalid, or inoperative, the judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this act, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section or other part directly involved in the controversy in which the judgment shall have been rendered.

b. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, the value of assets in an individual’s account under the program shall not be regarded as assets for the purposes of determining eligibility for benefits or the amount of benefits to be provided pursuant to any State or federal law, except that, if the federal law expressly requires that the assets in the accounts be regarded as assets for those purposes, the assets may be taken into consideration when determining eligibility benefits or the amount of benefits, provided further that if the federal law provides discretion to the State in setting standards regarding the amount of assets which many be disregarded in determining benefits, or other factors regarding the assets which impact the eligibility for, or amount of, benefits, the State shall, with respect to assets in the assets in the accounts under the program, set standards which are as favorable as the federal law permits for the individuals with the accounts.

L.2019, c.56, s.21.