By Tillery H.B. No. 523
77R2981 PB-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to a statewide group insurance program for school district
1-3 employees and retirees.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Sections 2(2) and (5), Article 3.50-4, Insurance
1-6 Code, are amended to read as follows:
1-7 (2) "Carrier" means:
1-8 (A) an [any] insurance company authorized to do
1-9 business in this state;
1-10 (B) a group [or] hospital service corporation
1-11 operating under Chapter 20 of this code; [authorized by the State
1-12 Board of Insurance to provide any of the insurance coverages,
1-13 benefits,] or
1-14 (C) a health maintenance organization regulated
1-15 under the Texas Health Maintenance Organization Act (Chapter 20A,
1-16 Vernon's Texas Insurance Code) [services provided by this article
1-17 under the insurance laws of this state].
1-18 (5) "Health benefit plan" or "plan" means a group
1-19 insurance policy, contract, or certificate, medical or hospital
1-20 service agreement, membership or subscription contract, salary
1-21 continuation plan, or similar group arrangement, including coverage
1-22 through a health maintenance organization regulated under the Texas
1-23 Health Maintenance Organization Act (Chapter 20A, Vernon's Texas
1-24 Insurance Code), to provide, pay for, or reimburse expenses for
2-1 health care services.
2-2 SECTION 2. Section 3(a), Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code, is
2-3 amended to read as follows:
2-4 (a) The Texas Public School Employees Group Insurance
2-5 Program is established to provide for a health benefit [an
2-6 insurance] plan or plans under this article and may provide other
2-7 insurance coverages as provided by this article.
2-8 SECTION 3. Section 5(a), Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code, is
2-9 amended to read as follows:
2-10 (a) The trustee may adopt rules, plans, procedures, and
2-11 orders reasonably necessary to implement this article, including:
2-12 (1) establishment of minimum benefit and financing
2-13 standards for group health benefits [insurance] coverage and other
2-14 coverage to be provided to all retirees, active employees,
2-15 dependents, surviving spouses, and surviving dependent children;
2-16 (2) establishment of basic and optional group coverage
2-17 to be provided to retirees, active employees, dependents, surviving
2-18 spouses, and surviving dependent children;
2-19 (3) establishment of the procedures for contributions
2-20 and deductions;
2-21 (4) establishment of periods for enrollment and
2-22 selection of optional coverage and procedures for enrolling and
2-23 exercising options under the plan;
2-24 (5) determination of methods and procedures for claims
2-25 administration;
2-26 (6) study of the operation of all [insurance] coverage
2-27 provided under this article;
3-1 (7) administration of the fund;
3-2 (8) adoption of a timetable for the development of
3-3 minimum benefit and financial standards for group [insurance]
3-4 coverage, establishment of group health benefit plans and other
3-5 insurance plans, and the taking of bids for and awarding of
3-6 contracts for group health benefit plans and other insurance plans;
3-7 and
3-8 (9) contracting with an independent and experienced
3-9 group insurance consultant or actuary, who does not receive
3-10 [insurance] commissions from any carrier [insurance company], for
3-11 advice and counsel in implementing and administering this program.
3-12 SECTION 4. Section 6, Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code, is
3-13 amended by amending Subsections (a), (c), and (f) and adding
3-14 Subsection (h) to read as follows:
3-15 (a) There is created a Health Benefit [Retirees] Advisory
3-16 Committee composed of nine members appointed by the trustee. One
3-17 member shall be an active school administrator. One member shall
3-18 be a retired school administrator. Two members shall be active
3-19 teachers. Three members shall be retired teachers. One member
3-20 shall be an active member of the auxiliary personnel of a school
3-21 district. One member shall be a retired member of the auxiliary
3-22 personnel.
3-23 (c) The committee shall:
3-24 (1) hold public hearings on group health benefits
3-25 coverage and other insurance benefits;
3-26 (2) recommend to the trustee minimum standards and
3-27 features of the plan or plans that it considers appropriate; and
4-1 (3) recommend to the trustee desirable changes in
4-2 rules and legislation affecting the program.
4-3 (f) A person is not eligible for appointment as a member of
4-4 the advisory committee if the person is required to register [with
4-5 the secretary of state] under Chapter 305, Government Code [422,
4-6 Acts of the 63rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1973 (Article
4-7 6252-9c, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes)].
4-8 (h) The advisory committee is not subject to Section
4-9 2110.008, Government Code.
4-10 SECTION 5. Section 7, Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code, is
4-11 amended to read as follows:
4-12 Sec. 7. PARTICIPATION BY RETIREE. (a) Each retiree must be
4-13 enrolled in a basic plan offered in the program unless:
4-14 (1) the retiree rejects enrollment in the program in
4-15 writing on a form provided by the trustee; or
4-16 (2) the retiree has been found under Section 18A of
4-17 this article to have defrauded or attempted to defraud the program.
4-18 (b) For each retiree who participates in the program, the
4-19 state through the trustee shall contribute from money in the fund
4-20 the [total] cost for the basic plan covering the retiree as
4-21 follows:
4-22 (1) 100 percent of the cost of the basic group health
4-23 benefits coverage for a retiree who retired with at least 30 years
4-24 of actual service credit for a school district;
4-25 (2) 75 percent of the cost of the basic group health
4-26 benefits coverage for a retiree who retired with at least 20 but
4-27 less than 30 years of actual service credit; and
5-1 (3) 50 percent of the cost of the basic group health
5-2 benefits coverage for a retiree who retired with at least 10 years
5-3 but less than 20 years of actual service credit.
5-4 (c) A retiree shall pay 100 percent of the cost of optional
5-5 coverage or dependent coverage selected by the retiree.
5-6 SECTION 6. Section 7A, Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code, is
5-7 amended to read as follows:
5-8 Sec. 7A. PARTICIPATION BY ACTIVE EMPLOYEES. (a) Each [A]
5-9 public school district shall [may elect to] participate in the
5-10 program provided under this article. A district [that elects to
5-11 participate] must accept the schedule of costs adopted by the
5-12 trustee. [A district may offer an alternative health benefit plan
5-13 to its active employees during the period of its participation in
5-14 the program if the trustee approves the plan as providing
5-15 contributions, participation, and a design that are in accordance
5-16 with sound group benefit underwriting principles.]
5-17 (b) The trustee by rule shall establish [provide]:
5-18 (1) minimum benefit standards for the program
5-19 [eligibility requirements for participation by a school district,
5-20 which may include criteria based on size]; and
5-21 (2) other requirements for school districts as
5-22 determined by the trustee to be necessary for the operation of
5-23 [restrictions on the ability of a school district to begin or
5-24 discontinue participation, which may include a minimum period of
5-25 participation and limited periods for elections to begin or
5-26 discontinue participation;]
5-27 [(3) administrative fees to be paid by participating
6-1 school districts to cover the trustee's administrative costs in
6-2 extending the program to active employees; and]
6-3 [(4) requirements to minimize the effects of adverse
6-4 selection on] the program.
6-5 (c) The trustee shall provide basic group health benefits
6-6 coverage for each active employee and may provide optional group
6-7 coverages for active employees participating in the program. The
6-8 coverages must be the same type of coverages as the [may be
6-9 combined with or similar to, but separate from,] coverages provided
6-10 to retirees. The trustee by rule shall define the requirements of
6-11 the basic coverage [sum of premiums and administrative fees
6-12 received from participating school districts and active employees
6-13 must cover all expenses of school district employee participation
6-14 in the program].
6-15 (d) Each [Participation by an] active employee of a
6-16 [participating] school district shall participate in the basic
6-17 coverage unless [is optional with] the employee specifically waives
6-18 participation in writing. A school district may not offer a
6-19 financial incentive to an active employee for declining to
6-20 participate in the program. An active employee is entitled to
6-21 obtain coverage for dependents in the same manner as a
6-22 participating retiree.
6-23 (e) Each [participating] school district shall contribute
6-24 for each district employee covered by the program an amount equal
6-25 to 50 [not less than 75] percent of the cost for the employee only
6-26 of the plans of group coverages authorized by the trustee for
6-27 active employees. [The district shall certify to the trustee the
7-1 amount the district will contribute monthly toward the cost of
7-2 coverage. The trustee shall determine if the amount is sufficient
7-3 to underwrite the plan for the district based on sound group
7-4 benefit underwriting principles. A determination by the trustee
7-5 under this subsection is final.]
7-6 (f) Except as provided by Section 22.004(b), Education Code,
7-7 each active [Each] employee covered by the program shall pay,
7-8 through a deduction from the employee's compensation, 100 percent
7-9 [that portion] of the cost of optional coverage or dependent
7-10 coverage selected by the employee [that exceeds the amount of
7-11 employer contributions].
7-12 (g) The trustee shall pay, from [deposit in] the fund, the
7-13 administrative costs incurred in extending the program to active
7-14 employees and may use for that purpose any unexpended balance of
7-15 the [all] fees collected under Section 44(d), Chapter 812, Acts of
7-16 the 73rd Legislature, 1993[, except that portion used to conduct
7-17 the survey required by Section 44. The trustee shall continue to
7-18 collect the fee through the 1996-1997 school year, after which time
7-19 the fee expires].
7-20 (h) The state shall, for each active employee covered by the
7-21 program, contribute in the manner provided by Section 16 of this
7-22 article an amount equal to 50 percent of the cost for employee-only
7-23 coverage under the plan of basic coverage authorized by the trustee
7-24 for active employees. The state may also make contributions to the
7-25 fund in addition to those required by Section 16(b) of this article
7-26 for the purpose of assisting in the expansion of the program to
7-27 active employees.
8-1 [(i) The trustee shall begin enrollment in the program for
8-2 active employees to be effective beginning with the 1996-1997
8-3 school year.]
8-4 SECTION 7. Section 8(b), Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code, is
8-5 amended to read as follows:
8-6 (b) The basic group health benefits coverage [coverages]
8-7 provided under the plan or plans must be comparable to the coverage
8-8 provided under the Texas Employees Uniform Group Insurance Benefits
8-9 Act (Article 3.50-2, Vernon's Texas Insurance Code) and must
8-10 include coverage for prescribed drugs, medicines, and prosthetic
8-11 devices. In addition to the basic group health benefits coverage
8-12 required under this subsection, the coverages provided under the
8-13 plan or plans may include [but are not limited to] life insurance,
8-14 accidental death and dismemberment, [hospital care and benefits,
8-15 surgical care and treatment, medical care and treatment, dental
8-16 care, eye care, obstetrical benefits,] long-term care, [prescribed
8-17 drugs, medicines, and prosthetic devices, and] other supplemental
8-18 benefits, supplies, and services [as provided by this article],
8-19 protection against loss of salary, and other coverages considered
8-20 advisable by the trustee. In making coverage determinations under
8-21 this section, the trustee shall consult with the Employees
8-22 Retirement System of Texas.
8-23 SECTION 8. Section 9, Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code, is
8-24 amended to read as follows:
8-25 Sec. 9. BENEFIT CERTIFICATES. At such times, or upon such
8-26 events, as designated by the trustee, each insurance carrier shall
8-27 issue to each retiree, active employee, surviving spouse, or
9-1 surviving dependent child entitled to coverage [insured] under this
9-2 article a certificate of benefits [insurance] that:
9-3 (1) states the benefits to which the person is
9-4 entitled;
9-5 (2) states to whom the benefits are payable;
9-6 (3) states to whom the claims must be submitted; and
9-7 (4) summarizes the provisions of the health benefit
9-8 plan or other plan [policy] principally affecting the person.
9-9 SECTION 9. Sections 10(a) and (b), Article 3.50-4, Insurance
9-10 Code, are amended to read as follows:
9-11 (a) Not later than the 180th day after the end of each state
9-12 fiscal year, the trustee shall make a written report to the
9-13 commissioner [State Board of Insurance] concerning the [insurance]
9-14 coverages provided and the benefits and services being received by
9-15 persons covered [insured] under this article.
9-16 (b) Coverage [Insurance coverage] purchased under this
9-17 article shall provide for an accounting to the trustee by each
9-18 carrier providing coverage not later than the 90th day after the
9-19 end of each plan [policy] year. The accounting shall be on a form
9-20 approved by the trustee. Other reports shall be prepared by each
9-21 carrier if considered necessary by the trustee. An extra charge
9-22 may not be assessed by the carrier for the accounting reports.
9-23 SECTION 10. Section 13, Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code, is
9-24 amended to read as follows:
9-25 Sec. 13. AUTOMATIC COVERAGE. A retiree or active employee
9-26 who applies during an enrollment period may not be denied any of
9-27 the [group insurance] basic coverage provided under this article
10-1 unless the person has been found under Section 18A of this article
10-2 to have defrauded or attempted to defraud the Texas Public School
10-3 Employees Group Insurance Program.
10-4 SECTION 11. Section 15(a), Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code, is
10-5 amended to read as follows:
10-6 (a) The school employees group insurance fund is created.
10-7 The comptroller is the custodian of the fund, and the trustee shall
10-8 administer the fund. All contributions from active employees,
10-9 retirees, school districts, and the state, contributions for
10-10 optional coverages, investment income, appropriations for
10-11 implementation of this program, and other money required or
10-12 authorized to be paid into the fund shall be paid into the fund.
10-13 From the fund shall be paid, without state fiscal year limitation,
10-14 the appropriate premiums to the carrier or carriers providing group
10-15 coverage under the plan or plans under this article, claims for
10-16 benefits under the group coverage, and the amounts expended by the
10-17 trustee for administration of the program. The appropriate portion
10-18 of the contributions to the fund to provide for incurred but
10-19 unreported claim reserves and contingency reserves, as determined
10-20 by the trustee, shall be retained in the fund.
10-21 SECTION 12. Sections 16(a), (b), (c), (f), (g), (h), and (i),
10-22 Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code, are amended to read as follows:
10-23 (a) For [the state fiscal year beginning September 1, 1985,
10-24 and for] each [subsequent] state fiscal year, each active employee,
10-25 as a condition of employment, shall contribute to the fund an
10-26 amount equal to .25 percent of the employee's salary. Each month
10-27 the employer of an active employee shall deduct the contributions
11-1 from the employee's salary and shall remit the contributions to the
11-2 trustee as provided by any procedures that the trustee may require.
11-3 In lieu of deducting the contributions from salaries, an employer
11-4 may assume and pay the total contributions due from its active
11-5 employees for any month.
11-6 (b) The state shall contribute as the state's contribution
11-7 for coverage for retirees to the fund each fiscal year an amount
11-8 equal to .50 percent of the salary of each active employee. The
11-9 state may contribute amounts in addition to the contribution
11-10 required by this subsection.
11-11 (c) If [after the state fiscal year beginning September 1,
11-12 1990,] the amount of state and active employee contributions to the
11-13 fund is raised by the legislature above the percentages provided by
11-14 Subsections (a) and (b) of this section to provide adequate
11-15 funding for the program, the ratio between the state's contribution
11-16 and the active employees' contributions must be maintained at two
11-17 to one.
11-18 (f) Before the first day of November preceding each regular
11-19 session of the legislature, the trustee shall certify, for
11-20 information and review, to the Legislative Budget Board and the
11-21 budget division of the governor's office the amounts necessary to
11-22 pay the contributions of the state to the fund for the basic group
11-23 health benefit plans for active employees and retirees under this
11-24 article [for information and review]. Not later than August 31 of
11-25 each year, the trustee shall certify to the comptroller of public
11-26 accounts the estimated amount of state contributions to be received
11-27 by the fund for the next fiscal year under the appropriations
12-1 authorized by this article.
12-2 (g) Contributions allocated and appropriated under this
12-3 article [section] shall be paid from the General Revenue Fund in
12-4 equal monthly installments, based on the annual estimate certified
12-5 by the trustee to the comptroller of public accounts for that year,
12-6 and subject to any express limitations specified in the Act making
12-7 the appropriation. Variations between the certified amount and the
12-8 actual amount due for the year shall be reconciled at the close of
12-9 the fiscal year and proper adjustments in the annual contributions
12-10 to the fund shall be made.
12-11 (h) An employing district that fails to remit, before the
12-12 11th day after the last day of the month, all [member] deposits
12-13 required by this article [section] to be remitted by the district
12-14 for the month shall pay to the [Texas public school retired
12-15 employees group insurance] fund, in addition to the deposits,
12-16 interest on the unpaid amounts at the annual rate of six percent
12-17 compounded monthly.
12-18 (i) An employing district and its trustees hold amounts due
12-19 to the [Texas public school retired employees group insurance] fund
12-20 under this article in trust for the fund and its participants and
12-21 may not divert the amounts for any other purpose.
12-22 SECTION 13. Section 17(a), Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code,
12-23 is amended to read as follows:
12-24 (a) The trustee shall study the operation and administration
12-25 of this article, including surveys and reports on financing group
12-26 insurance coverages and health benefit [benefits] plans available
12-27 to active employees and retirees, and the experience and projected
13-1 cost of coverage and benefits. The trustee shall make a report to
13-2 the legislature at each regular legislative session relating to the
13-3 operation and administration of this article.
13-4 SECTION 14. Section 19, Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code, is
13-5 amended to read as follows:
13-6 Sec. 19. ASSISTANCE. In implementing and administering this
13-7 article, the commissioner [State Board of Insurance], as requested
13-8 by the trustee, shall assist the trustee in carrying out this
13-9 article.
13-10 SECTION 15. Section 22.004, Education Code, is amended to
13-11 read as follows:
13-12 Sec. 22.004. GROUP HEALTH BENEFITS FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES. (a)
13-13 Each district shall participate in the group health benefits
13-14 program provided under Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code.
13-15 (b) In addition to coverage provided under the program
13-16 described by Subsection (a), a district may [shall] make available
13-17 to its employees additional benefits to provide dependent or
13-18 optional [group health] coverage, in whole or in part, through
13-19 [provided by] a risk pool established by one or more school
13-20 districts under Chapter 172, Local Government Code, or under a
13-21 policy of insurance or group contract issued by an insurer, a
13-22 company subject to Chapter 20, Insurance Code, or a health
13-23 maintenance organization under the Texas Health Maintenance
13-24 Organization Act (Chapter 20A, Vernon's Texas Insurance Code).
13-25 [The coverage must meet the substantive coverage requirements of
13-26 Article 3.51-6, Insurance Code, and any other law applicable to
13-27 group health insurance policies or contracts issued in this state.
14-1 The coverage must include major medical treatment but may exclude
14-2 experimental procedures. In this subsection, "major medical
14-3 treatment" means a medical, surgical, or diagnostic procedure for
14-4 illness or injury. The coverage may include managed care or
14-5 preventive care and must be comparable to the basic health coverage
14-6 provided under the Texas Employees Uniform Group Insurance Benefits
14-7 Act (Article 3.50-2, Vernon's Texas Insurance Code). The board of
14-8 trustees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas shall adopt
14-9 rules to determine whether a school district's group health
14-10 coverage is comparable to the basic health coverage specified by
14-11 this subsection. The rules must provide for consideration of the
14-12 following factors concerning the district's coverage in determining
14-13 whether the district's coverage is comparable to the basic health
14-14 coverage specified by this subsection:]
14-15 [(1) the deductible amount for service provided inside
14-16 and outside of the network;]
14-17 [(2) the coinsurance percentages for service provided
14-18 inside and outside of the network;]
14-19 [(3) the maximum amount of coinsurance payments a
14-20 covered person is required to pay;]
14-21 [(4) the amount of the copayment for an office visit;]
14-22 [(5) the schedule of benefits and the scope of
14-23 coverage;]
14-24 [(6) the lifetime maximum benefit amount; and]
14-25 [(7) verification that the coverage is issued by a
14-26 provider licensed to do business in this state by the Texas
14-27 Department of Insurance or is provided by a risk pool authorized
15-1 under Chapter 172, Local Government Code, or that a district is
15-2 capable of covering the assumed liabilities in the case of coverage
15-3 provided through district self-insurance.]
15-4 (c) [(b)] The cost of the coverage provided under the
15-5 program described by Subsection (a) shall be paid by the state, the
15-6 district, and the employees in the manner provided by Section 7A,
15-7 Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code. The cost of coverage provided
15-8 under a plan adopted under Subsection (b) shall [may] be shared by
15-9 the employees and the district without contribution by the state.
15-10 (d) [(c)] Each district shall report the district's
15-11 compliance with this section [subsection] to the executive director
15-12 of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas not later than March 1 of
15-13 each even-numbered year in the manner required by the board of
15-14 trustees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. For a district
15-15 that elects to provide additional coverage described by Subsection
15-16 (b), the [The] report [must be based on the district group health
15-17 coverage plan in effect during the current plan year and] must
15-18 include:
15-19 (1) appropriate documentation of:
15-20 (A) the district's contract [for group health
15-21 coverage] with a coverage provider licensed to do business in this
15-22 state by the Texas Department of Insurance or a risk pool
15-23 authorized under Chapter 172, Local Government Code; or
15-24 (B) a resolution of the board of trustees of the
15-25 district authorizing a self-insurance plan for district employees
15-26 and of the district's review of district ability to cover the
15-27 liability assumed;
16-1 (2) the schedule of benefits;
16-2 (3) the premium rate sheet, including the amount paid
16-3 by the district and employee;
16-4 (4) the number of employees covered by the [each
16-5 health] coverage plan offered by the district; and
16-6 (5) any other information considered appropriate by
16-7 the executive director of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
16-8 [(d) Based on the criteria prescribed by Subsection (a), the
16-9 executive director of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas shall
16-10 certify whether a district's coverage is comparable to the basic
16-11 health coverage provided under the Texas Employees Uniform Group
16-12 Insurance Benefits Act (Article 3.50-2, Vernon's Texas Insurance
16-13 Code). If the executive director of the Teacher Retirement System
16-14 of Texas determines that the group health coverage offered by a
16-15 district is not comparable, the executive director shall report
16-16 that information to the district and to the Legislative Budget
16-17 Board. The executive director shall submit a report to the
16-18 legislature not later than September 1 of each even-numbered year
16-19 describing the status of each district's group health coverage
16-20 program based on the information contained in the report required
16-21 by Subsection (c) and the certification required by this
16-22 subsection.]
16-23 (e) A school district that elects to provide additional
16-24 coverage described by Subsection (b) may not contract with an
16-25 insurer, a company subject to Chapter 20, Insurance Code, or a
16-26 health maintenance organization to issue a policy or contract under
16-27 this section, or with any person to assist the school district in
17-1 obtaining or managing the policy or contract unless, before the
17-2 contract is entered into, the insurer, company, organization, or
17-3 person provides the district with an audited financial statement
17-4 showing the financial condition of the insurer, company,
17-5 organization, or person.
17-6 (f) An insurer, a company subject to Chapter 20, Insurance
17-7 Code, or a health maintenance organization that issues a policy or
17-8 contract under this section and any person that assists the school
17-9 district in obtaining or managing the policy or contract for
17-10 compensation shall provide an annual audited financial statement to
17-11 the school district showing the financial condition of the insurer,
17-12 company, organization, or person.
17-13 (g) An audited financial statement provided under this
17-14 section must be made in accordance with rules adopted by the
17-15 commissioner of insurance or state auditor, as applicable.
17-16 SECTION 16. Section 20, Article 3.50-4, Insurance Code, is
17-17 repealed.
17-18 SECTION 17. Effective September 1, 2002, the following laws
17-19 are repealed:
17-20 (1) Section 22.005, Education Code; and
17-21 (2) Article 26.036, Insurance Code.
17-22 SECTION 18. The Teacher Retirement System of Texas shall
17-23 begin enrollment in the group health benefits program for active
17-24 employees and retirees as provided under Article 3.50-4, Insurance
17-25 Code, as amended by this Act, to be effective beginning with the
17-26 2002-2003 school year.
17-27 SECTION 19. A school district that, before September 1,
18-1 2001, established a health care fund under Section 22.005,
18-2 Education Code, shall abolish the fund not later than September 1,
18-3 2002. Any unexpended balance in the fund attributable to
18-4 deductions made from the salary of district employees shall be
18-5 distributed to those employees in shares proportionate to the
18-6 amount contributed by each employee not later than December 1,
18-7 2002.
18-8 SECTION 20. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.