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.