1-1     By:  Harris                                            S.B. No. 771
 1-2           (In the Senate - Filed February 19, 2001; February 20, 2001,
 1-3     read first time and referred to Committee on Business and Commerce;
 1-4     April 26, 2001, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 5,
 1-5     Nays 0; April 26, 2001, sent to printer.)
 1-6                            A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-7                                   AN ACT
 1-8     relating to a consumers' guide for employers regarding health
 1-9     benefit plans.
1-10           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-11           SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 26, Insurance Code, is
1-12     amended by adding Article 26.10 to read as follows:
1-13           Art. 26.10.  CONSUMERS' GUIDE TO EMPLOYER HEALTH BENEFIT
1-14     PLANS.  (a) The department, in consultation with the office of
1-15     public insurance counsel, shall annually prepare a consumers' guide
1-16     designed to assist employers in comparing premium rates for, and
1-17     coverage and benefits provided or offered under, the different
1-18     types of employer health benefit plans available in this state.
1-19           (b)  The guide must describe the different types of plans
1-20     available and allow a person to compare the coverage and benefits
1-21     provided or offered under each type of plan in relation to the
1-22     premium rates typically charged for each type of plan.  The guide
1-23     may contain any other information the commissioner determines will
1-24     assist employers in assessing employer health benefit plans.
1-25           (c)  The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
1-26     implement this article.
1-27           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-28     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-29     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-30     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-31     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
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