S.B. 959 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 959 By: Duncan County Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This bill amends Section 615.073(b) of the Government Code to allow eligible surviving spouses, which would include peace officers, employee of an institutional division or state jail division of the Department of Criminal Justice, jailer of a county jail, firefighters, and aircraft crash rescue personnel. Current statute allows for eligible surviving spouses to continue benefits for coverage through a self-insured plan, but does not include a fully insured plan. A large number of small to mid-size cities do not self-insure employees, but use services of insurance carriers. This bill will enable surviving spouses and dependents of city employees of high risk, public safety positions, to continue to have health insurance benefits regardless of the type of plan the municipality currently has. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS Section 615.073(b)(1) adds (A) which includes a health insurance policy or health benefit plan written by a health insurer and adds the title (B). EFFECTIVE DATE Effective immediately if two-thirds majority approve or September 1, 2003.