78R6401 AJA-F
By: McClendon H.B. No. 88
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 88:
By: Martinez Fischer C.S.H.B. No. 88
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to coverage for certain prescriptions to stop smoking
under the Texas Employees Group Benefits Act.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1551.205, Insurance Code, as effective
June 1, 2003, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 1551.205. LIMITATIONS. The board of trustees may not
contract for or provide a coverage plan that:
(1) excludes or limits coverage or services for
acquired immune deficiency syndrome, as defined by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention of the United States Public Health
Service, or human immunodeficiency virus infection; [or]
(2) provides coverage for serious mental illness that
is less extensive than the coverage provided for any physical
illness; or
(3) provides coverage for prescription drugs to assist
in stopping smoking at a lower benefit level than is provided for
other prescription drugs.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to coverage contracted for or provided by the board of trustees
established under Chapter 815, Government Code, to administer the
Employees Retirement System of Texas on or after September 1, 2004.
Coverage contracted for or provided by the board of trustees before
September 1, 2004, is governed by the law in effect immediately
before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.