By:  Strama                                                       H.B. No. 3031



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the eligibility of certain institutions of higher 
education faculty members to participate in a group benefits 
program.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Add subsection (f) to Section 1551.101, 
Insurance Code, as follows:
	(f)  An individual is eligible to participate in the group 
benefits program as provided by Subsection (a) in an academic year 
if the individual:
		(1)  receives compensation for services rendered to a 
public junior college district as an adjunct faculty member;
		(2)  has been under contract as an adjunct faculty 
member by the same junior college district and has taught at least 
one course in each regular fall and spring semester at a public 
junior college in the district in the preceding academic year; and
		(3)  is under contract or is scheduled to teach at least 
nine semester credit hours in the academic year of coverage or, if 
the individual is also employed by the junior college district to 
perform nonteaching duties, is under contract or is scheduled to 
teach at least six semester credit hours in the academic year of 
coverage and has been approved by the public junior college to 
participate in the group benefits program.
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only 
to coverage for an academic year that begins on or after December 1, 
2005.
	SECTION 3.  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.