BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1854

By: Paxton

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) retirees may participate in the Texas Public School Employees Group Insurance Program, which is often referred to as TRS-Care. While other state employees and retirees have access to state-sponsored group dental and vision benefits, this program does not include insurance coverage for dental or vision care unless the care is for a medical issue or part of a limited set of benefits provided in the TRS-Care Medicare Advantage plan. S.B. 1854 seeks to make these benefits available to eligible TRS retirees, dependents, surviving spouses, and surviving dependent children by requiring TRS to establish a contract for optional plans that provide coverage for vision and dental care that are made available under the Texas Public School Employees Group Insurance Program.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1854 amends the Insurance Code to require the Teacher Retirement System of Texas to establish or contract for and make available under the Texas Public School Employees Group Insurance Program the following plans for retirees, dependents, surviving spouses, and surviving dependent children:

· an optional plan that provides coverage for dental care; and

· an optional plan that provides coverage for vision care.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.