78R5964 PB-D

By:  Williams                                                     S.B. No. 1117


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to optional benefits under the Texas school employees uniform group coverage program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 4(e), Article 3.50-7, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows: (e) The trustee may not offer optional coverages to employees participating in the program. This subsection does not affect the right of a participating entity to offer optional coverages to its employees under terms and conditions established by the participating entity. [The trustee by rule may define the types of optional coverages offered under this subsection.] SECTION 2. Section 8(b), Article 3.50-7, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) The fund is composed of: (1) all contributions made to the fund under this article from employees, participating entities, and the state; (2) [contributions made by employees or participating entities for optional coverages; [(3)] investment income; (3) [(4)] any additional amounts appropriated by the legislature for contingency reserves, administrative expenses, or other expenses; and (4) [(5)] any other money required or authorized to be paid into the fund. SECTION 3. To the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails over another Act of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes. SECTION 4. The board of trustees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas shall adopt any rules required by the change in law made by this Act not later than December 1, 2003. SECTION 5. This Act applies only to a policy, contract, or evidence of coverage that is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2004. A policy, contract, or evidence of coverage that is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2004, is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.