SRC-TNM S.B. 14 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 14
By: Harris
State Affairs
4-23-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, long-term care insurance is becoming increasingly important as
the population ages.  In general, purchasing insurance by a large pool of
individuals allows for low-cost coverage for all those in the pool.  S.B.
14 would create the Public Employees Long-Term Care Board and allow all
public employees to purchase long-term care insurance through the pool. 
 
PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 14 outlines provisions regarding long-term care for
public employees. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 3E, Insurance Code, by adding Article 3.50-2A,
as follows: 

Art. 3.50-2A. LONG-TERM CARE FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

Sec. 1. LONG-TERM CARE BOARD. Sets forth requirements and provisions
regarding the establishment of the Public Employees Long-Term Care Board
(board). 

Sec. 2. EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANTS. Authorizes the board to employ and
contract with persons to assist it in performing its powers and duties
under this article and to determine their duties and compensation. 

Sec. 3. LONG-TERM CARE COVERAGE. Sets forth requirements and outlines
provisions regarding long-term health coverage. 

Sec. 4. ENROLLMENT. Sets forth requirements and outlines provisions
regarding enrollment in the long-term care program. 

Sec. 5. PUBLIC EMPLOYEES LONG-TERM CARE FUND. Sets forth requirements and
outlines provisions regarding the establishment of the public employees
long-term care fund. 

Sec. 6. INVESTMENT OF FUND. Sets forth provisions regarding the investment
of the assets of the long-term care fund. 

Sec. 7. IMPLEMENTATION. Requires the board to implement the long-term care
program developed under this article when the board determines that it is
feasible to do so. 

SECTION 2. Provides that if the board does not implement the long-term
care program under Article 3.50-2A, Insurance Code, as added by this Act,
before January 1, 1999, the board is required to prepare and file a report
with the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house
of representatives before that date making its recommendations for the
resources necessary to implement the program. 

 SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.