This website will be unavailable from Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, June 3, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. due to data center maintenance.
79R1609 DLF-D
By: Brown of Brazos H.B. No. 566
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to eligibility for group benefits coverage for certain
government employees and retirees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 1551.1055, Insurance
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 1551.1055. DATE ELIGIBILITY BEGINS [; WAITING PERIOD].
SECTION 2. Sections 1551.1055(a) and (b), Insurance Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(a) Eligibility [Except as provided by Subsection (c) or
(d), eligibility] under Section 1551.101 begins on the first day
[of the calendar month that begins after the 90th day after the
date] the employee performs services for a state agency or is
qualified for and begins to hold elected or appointed office.
(b) Eligibility [Except as provided by Subsection (c),
eligibility] under Section 1551.102, for an individual who does not
retire at the end of the last month for which the individual is on
the payroll of a state agency before retirement, begins on the first
day of the calendar month that begins after [the 90th day after] the
date the individual retires.
SECTION 3. Section 1551.111(b), Insurance Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) Participation is limited to:
(1) an officer or employee of either system who has
been an officer or employee of either system [following completion
of the waiting period described by Section 1551.1055];
(2) an eligible dependent of an officer or employee of
either system described by Subdivision (1);
(3) an individual who:
(A) was an officer or employee of either system;
(B) has retired from either system, subject to
Section 1551.1055;
(C) receives or is eligible to receive an annuity
from either system or under Chapter 803, Government Code, based on
at least 10 years of service credit and is at least 65 years of age;
and
(D) has at least 10 years of service credit with a
state agency whose employees are authorized to participate in the
group benefits program; and
(4) an eligible dependent of a retired officer or
employee described by Subdivision (3).
SECTION 4. The heading to Section 1601.1045, Insurance
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 1601.1045. DATE ELIGIBILITY BEGINS [; WAITING PERIOD].
SECTION 5. Sections 1601.1045(a) and (b), Insurance Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(a) Eligibility [Except as provided by Subsection (c) or
(d), eligibility] under Section 1601.101 begins on the first day
[of the calendar month that begins after the 90th day after the
date] the employee performs services for a system.
(b) Eligibility [Except as provided by Subsection (c),
eligibility] under Section 1601.102, for an individual who does not
retire at the end of the last month for which the individual is on
the payroll of a system before retirement, begins on the first day
of the calendar month that begins [after the 90th day] after the
date the individual retires.
SECTION 6. The following laws are repealed:
(1) Sections 1551.1055(c) and (d), Insurance Code; and
(2) Sections 1601.1045(c) and (d), Insurance Code.
SECTION 7. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to coverage provided under Chapters 1551 and 1601, Insurance Code,
on or after September 1, 2005. Coverage provided under Chapters
1551 and 1601, Insurance Code, before September 1, 2005, 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 8. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.