By: Uher H.B. No. 1073 73R4581 DLF-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to continuation of benefits for the surviving spouse of a 1-3 deceased state employee. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Section 3B, Article 3.51-6, Insurance Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Subsection (n) to read as follows: 1-7 (n) Notwithstanding Subsection (l) of this section, if a 1-8 person covered under a contract executed under the Texas Employees 1-9 Uniform Group Insurance Benefits Act (Article 3.50-2, Vernon's 1-10 Texas Insurance Code) and its subsequent amendments exercises the 1-11 continuation option under Subsection (b) of this section because of 1-12 the death of a member of the group, coverage of that person 1-13 continues without interruption and may not be cancelled or 1-14 otherwise terminated until: 1-15 (1) the insured fails to make a premium payment in the 1-16 time required to make that payment; 1-17 (2) the insured becomes eligible for substantially 1-18 similar coverage under another health insurance policy, hospital or 1-19 medical service subscriber contract, medical practice or other 1-20 prepayment plan, or any other plan or program; or 1-21 (3) the insured is no longer eligible for coverage for 1-22 a reason other than the death of the member of the group. 1-23 SECTION 2. This Act applies only to health insurance 1-24 policies, as defined by Section 3B, Article 3.51-6, Insurance Code, 2-1 provided for employees under the Texas Employees Uniform Group 2-2 Insurance Benefits Act (Article 3.50-2, Vernon's Texas Insurance 2-3 Code) on or after September 1, 1993. Health insurance policies 2-4 provided for employees before September 1, 1993, are subject to the 2-5 law as it existed before September 1, 1993, and that law is 2-6 continued in effect for that purpose. 2-7 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-8 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-9 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-10 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-11 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-12 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-13 passage, and it is so enacted.