HBA-TYH, ATS H.B. 1217 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1217
By: Moreno, Joe
Insurance
7/21/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 76th Legislature, the law required the enrollment period for
large employer health benefit plans to consist of an entire calendar month,
beginning on the first day of the month and ending on the last day of the
month.  Statutorily specifying when an enrollment period must begin and end
could have led to problems for employers and their employees.  H.B. 1217
deletes provisions specifying the days during which an initial enrollment
period for health insurance coverage for employees begins and ends. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Article 26.83(f), Insurance Code, by deleting the
provision specifying the duration of days during which an initial
enrollment period for health insurance coverage for employees who meet the
participation criteria established by a large employer begins and ends.
What remains is the provision that an initial enrollment plan must be at
least 31 days, with a 31-day annual open enrollment period. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Article 26.21(h), Insurance Code, to make conforming
changes. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.