By Harris                                              S.B. No. 771
         77R5902 AJA-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to a consumers' guide for employers regarding health
 1-3     benefit plans.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 26, Insurance Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Article 26.10 to read as follows:
 1-7           Art. 26.10.  CONSUMERS' GUIDE TO EMPLOYER HEALTH BENEFIT
 1-8     PLANS. (a) The department, in consultation with the office of
 1-9     public insurance counsel, shall annually prepare a consumers' guide
1-10     designed to assist employers in comparing premium rates for, and
1-11     coverage and benefits provided or offered under, the different
1-12     types of employer health benefit plans available in this state.
1-13           (b)  The guide must describe the different types of plans
1-14     available and allow a person to compare the coverage and benefits
1-15     provided or offered under each type of plan in relation to the
1-16     premium rates typically charged for each type of plan.  The guide
1-17     may contain any other information the commissioner determines will
1-18     assist employers in assessing employer health benefit plans.
1-19           (c)  The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
1-20     implement this article.
1-21           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-22     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-23     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-24     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
 2-1     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.